Obituary: Robert (Bob) Kurtti, 87

Robert (Bob) Kurtti, 87, passed away on August 12, 2018 in Lakeside, Oregon.

He was born on August 29, 1930 in Leeds, South Dakota to Robert Wilho and Rose Kurtti, as the oldest of three children. While growing up during the Great Depression, his family often moved and eventually settled in Oregon. He had a passion for living off the land and loved places sparsely populated and far off the beaten path. He brought his family to Northwest Territories in Canada, and then moved back to Oregon two years later. In the early sixties, the call of the outdoors and faraway lands led him to drag a big home-built plywood van with his possessions, and his family to Wrangell, Alaska, where he called home for nearly fifty years. Hunting and fishing, strong personalities, tight knit community, boating, running the Stikine River, and living in tune with the harsh environment of SE Alaska, defined him.

He taught himself calculus and engineering and how to play many musical instruments. He loved new technology and continued to embrace learning new technology until recent days. Despite declining health, he still spent time daily studying Japanese and mastering his iPhone.

He entered the computer age using an old Commodore before there were software products commonly available.

He worked in sawmills from his

twenties to his mid forties starting in low positions and soon being promoted to managerial positions.

He loved the water and had a second career as a commercial fisherman. Some years later, Bob started another business of a welding company and became a boat builder. He relocated to Juneau for a number of years, where he worked as an optician. Many years after retirement at 80, he moved back to the Oregon coast.

Milder weather, ease of travel to Japan which he did often over the years, and close proximity to family were some of the reasons he moved, but his heart was really in Alaska.

His final "work" was turning wood into useful items. He spent much of his time out in his well-outfitted shop turning lumpy pieces of dry tree limbs into beautiful artistic bowls. Through that hobby, he met and made many friends in the community of Lakeside, Oregon where he lived his final years.

He was blessed in marriage twice in his lifetime. Janice Griffith, his high school sweetheart was predeceased. They were blessed with four children. Kathy (Heido) Sekioka of Tanabe, Japan; Terri (Doug) Reboul of Clay Center, Kansas; Robbie Kurtti predeceased, and Patti Kurtti of Anchorage, Alaska.

He was blessed with eight grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren, and nine great, great grandchildren.

His second marriage was to Donna, predeceased. They were a lively presence in Wrangell, and their home was a magnet for friends and family to stop by and enjoy their hospitality.

Private services and a tribute will be held in Creswell, Oregon on August 21. Per his request his ashes will be scattered at Red Slough on the Stikine River. He will be interred in the Sekioka family grave in Tanabe, Wakayama.

Memorial donations can be made to the Wrangell Volunteer Fire Department, Box 794, Wrangell, Alaska 99929.