Robert L. "Bob" Erekson
Robert L. “Bob” Erekson, 89, of Billings, passed away
peacefully at his home on December 27, 2010. Bob was born on
March 24, 1921, in Twin Falls, Idaho, the son of Leslie H
and Grace (Webb) Erekson. The family later moved to Utah,
finally settling in Payson where he graduated from high
school. He joined the Army Air Corps in 1940 and became an
aircraft mechanics instructor at Chanute Field in Urbana,
Illinois.
On June 22, 1942, Bob married Louise Greer in the Salt Lake
City Temple. Following their marriage he was transferred
with the military to Nebraska and later to Denver. He spent
the remainder of WWII in the Panama Canal Zone where he
worked as a supply sergeant for aircraft parts. After his
discharge he returned to Aurora, Illinois, and used the GI
Bill to learn carpentry.
Bob soon went into business for himself as a carpenter and
building contractor, constructing homes, churches, and
bridges. In 1968 the family moved to Billings, Montana,
where Bob started Pacer Campers, constructing
custom-designed pickup truck toppers, slip-in campers, and
trailers, working until his retirement in 1989. Bob and
Louise raised a family of one daughter and nine sons.
Bob was very active in the LDS Church throughout his life
and held various positions in church leadership. From 1973
to 1985 he served in the Billings Mission presidency and
became known to members of the Church throughout the region
as he flew to conferences up to 24 times a year to fulfill
speaking assignments. (He was a private pilot and loved
flying.) He worked at the Billings Temple for eight years.
For the past 12 or more years he served as ward membership
clerk, completing his responsibilities until five days
before he passed away.
In retirement Bob revived his life-long interest in family
history. He was an active member of the Yellowstone
Genealogy Forum and founder of the PAF-computer interest
group. He helped hundreds of people learn to use the
computer to research and record their genealogy. He compiled
and published several family history books, including ones
chronicling the Choate family, the Greer family, and others.
Bob Erekson is survived by his wife, Louise Erekson;
children Virginia “Ginger” (William) Hamer, Thomas (Terry),
Erek (Lenore), R. Crisman, Douglas, Randall, Jay (Susana),
Matt, Jon (Jennifer), and Jared; brothers Paul (Valerie)
Erekson, and Gene Erekson; sister-in-law Vilda Erekson; 36
grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren; and many nieces
and nephews and extended family.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Harold and
Jonas; and sister Leone Carpenter.
The family will be receiving friends for visitation from 6–8
p.m. on Thursday, at the Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Friday, December
31, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2929
Belvedere Drive. Interment will follow at Rockvale Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the Yellowstone Genealogy Forum, Billings.
Remembrances
Please leave your name and remembrance in this public guest book. Your comments will be shared on this page and forwarded to the family.
Louise
and family,
My prayers are with you at this time of great need in your loss of Bob.
I will always remember the help Bob gave me while he chaired our
PAF-computer interest group. His insight was of great value to me in my
learning how to use the computer in genealogy, especially the program
from Family Search thru the Salt Lake Library.
Karen Reed
Dearest Matt, Eliza, and family,
We will be praying for you during your time of loss. We will
always remember dad/grandpa as a sweet and gentle person. He
could change door locks in a blink of the eye! He will be
missed.
Grace to you from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Diane Steve and Tyler Gomola
I remember Pres. Erekson when I was the branch pres. at the Lame Deer branch many years ago. I always felt his wonderful spirit and he helped me many times. It was always good to see him at conferences. I am sorry for your lose. Our prayers are with you, Tom and Jane McMakin
Louise and family,
Sorry to hear of your loss. Brother Erekson was a great man and
someone who had a profound influence on me in my youth. He was
always an example to me of honestly, integrity, hard work and Gospel
living. He was kind enough to hire me for a summer at Pacer Campers
(11 thumbs and all) because he knew I needed the money. The world
needs more people like him.
Best regards,
Michael Goodson