Robert 'Bob' Erck

Robert "Bob" Erck, passed away peacefully at his home in Blaine, Minnesota, on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, surrounded by his family. Born Robert Hall on August 3, 1945, to Angelina Hall, Bob was adopted by Theodore and Evelyn Erck in 1953. A free spirit, Bob grew up in Fridley, MN, where he was active in youth sports, including baseball, football and wrestling. After high school, he served as a mechanic in the Air Force while stationed in Colorado Springs, Colorado. 

In 1966, Bob married his best friend and lifelong supporter, Linda Jarson, in Watertown, South Dakota. Throughout his diverse career, he worked as a machinist, mechanic, finish contractor, and gold town tour guide, but he was most proud of owning Maui Wowi Smoothies and Coffee, a food truck that traveled to different events across Minnesota. Beyond his work, Bob loved his John Deere tractor and on the weekends you would catch him tooling about the yard. Some of his very best vacations were spent sleeping under the stars in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. In later years, Bob would spend his time in the woodshop in Arizona experimenting with wood carvings and creating beautiful turned wood bowls. Mostly, Bob was a lifelong stamp collector and took great joy in sharing his formidable collection with others. 

Bob is survived by his wife of 60 years, Linda; his children, Shelli (Saher Hamoda), Wendi Swenson, and Kristopher (Rita) Erck; six grandchildren, Ahmed, Jordan, Jacob, Alex, Anna, and Niki; and his brother, Stuart Erck. He was preceded in death by his parents, Theodore and Evelyn; his father-in-law, Lloyd Jarson; and other beloved family members. His life and resilience are perhaps best captured by the words of Ernest Hemingway: "The world breaks everyone, and afterward, some are strong at the broken places." 

A celebration of life will be held in Bob’s honor at Holden Lutheran Church on Sunday, June 28, 2026 from 12:00pm - 4:00pm. Lunch will be served following the service.