Robert Ball

He was born in Lansing, Michigan on June 11th, 1944, son of Robert B. Ball and Dorothy (Clare) Ball. At the age of six weeks, they moved back to the old Ball family farm in Mt. Pleasant where he was raised in a farming and outdoor lifestyle. He graduated from Mt. Pleasant High School in 1962. After two years at Central Michigan University, as well as two seasons as a Park Ranger at Tahquamenon Falls State Park, he became a State Conservation Officer at the age of 21.

The work of a Conservation Officer was a pretty active lifestyle and his work took him to Crystal Falls, Bruce Crossing, and Rapid River. In 1976,he was promoted to Upper Peninsula Commercial Fish Law Supervisor, after which he moved his young family to the Skandia/Marquette area. That work took him from one end of the Upper Peninsula to the other, but eventually a work-related snowmobile accident forced his retirement from the DNR.

On May 31st, 1969, Bob married Ruth Kukura in Crystal Falls. Ruth’s father Mike, was a Fire Officer in the DNR. Together, Bob and Ruth had a son, Robert M. In Escanaba in 1975, and a daughter Melissa in Marquette in 1980.

Beekeeping was the main family income while Bob was growing up in Mt. Pleasant. Bob received his first package of bees from Sears when he was 10 years old, which made him a beekeeper for 70 years. After retiring from the DNR, Bob joined his father in the business, and together they ran an 800-hive outfit until his father passed. The business was reduced and Bob ran it until age 70. There is still a small bee operation on the Skandia farm today.

In addition to mastering beekeeping, Bob had a love for farming in his early years. He farmed the countrysides in Mt. Pleasant with his beloved International Harvesters, as well as being a member of the Future Farmers of America. His interest in the outdoors, led to a life filled with hunting, trapping, logging, and using his carpentry skills to build homes, camps, and anything else he could think of.

His interests included literature and reading, tending to his apple orchards, tractor rides with his grandkids, all aspects of maple syrup production, and gardening. He spent years gathering and compiling family history, ensuring that the family stories and pictures would be passed onto future generations.

Bob is survived by his wife Ruth, son Robert M. (Traci), daughter Melissa Erickson (Ryan), granddaughter Kaitlyn DuFay (Andrew), grandson Wyatt Erickson, step-grand children Sam Baxendale-Wilson, Jack Mondrella, and Reese Mondrella, brothers Benton (Lana) of Gladwin, MI, and Bruce (Nancy) of Mt. Pleasant, MI, brother and sister-in-law Gerald and Karen Groop of Crystal Falls, MI, and several nieces and nephews.

Friends may call at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Harvey on Friday, February 21, beginning at 10:00 am until the time of service at 11:00 am. Rev. Alex LaChapelle, pastor, will officiate. A reception will follow in the church fellowship hall. Interment will be made in the Park Cemetery.

Fassbender Swanson Hansen Funeral and Cremation Services is serving the family, where condolences may be expressed online at fassbenderswansonhansen.com.