Robert M Serich

Robert (Bob) Michael Serich was born in Grand Rapids Minnesota on May 21, 1943, and died on May 27, 2024, at his home on Pokegama Lake, Cohasset, MN that he loved so much.  He was 81 years old. 

Bob was born to John and Francis (Rukavina) Serich of Calumet.  He attended and graduated from Greenway High School in 1961.  He attended Itasca Community College and the University of Minnesota Duluth.

Bob married his high school sweetheart Jule Hurley, which to this day said she was the most beautiful girl in high school, on June 26, 1962.  They went on to have three children, Kelly, Christin (Tommy), and Suzette.  They lived their entire life in Itasca County between Coleraine, Midway, and the past 30 years on Pokegama Lake, in Cohasset.

Bob dedicated his service to the citizens of Itasca County as a deputy, chief deputy, and Sheriff throughout his 31-year career in the Itasca County Sheriff’s Office.  He implemented the D.A.R.E. (drug abuse resistance program) in 1992 and was instrumental in the implementation of the 911 emergency system.  He had an extremely strong work ethic and integrity.  Over the years as family members would meet some of those he arrested, they said they respected him because he had always treated them with respect and was always fair. 

Bob put all others needs above his own.  He was kind and caring and went out of his way to help anyone who needed his as best as he could.  Bob and Jule went on to open their home to thirty-three foster daughters and one foster son.

Bob’s greatest joy and love was not only for his entire family and close friends, but his grandchildren.  Bob and Jule welcomed their first grandchild in January of 1995, which eased him into his retirement from his career in law enforcement that he loved so much.

Bob was a meticulous carpenter from the skills he learned from his brother-in-law Jimmy Ridgeway when they built the family home in Coleraine.  Bob’s greatest strength was his strong will to survive and his hope that his complicated medical situation would improve so that he could continue to be there for his family.  His strong will predominately showed as he survived close to 30 years of various medical issues from heart disease to Parkinson’s.  He never gave up as his physical capacities became more difficult and fought to be as independent as possible.

Bob enjoyed pontoon rides to the Harbor, inspecting the perimeter of his property on his Cushman, looking for the next up and coming electronic gizmos, getting on any piece of heavy equipment he could, inserting himself on any family conversation around him as an expert in all fields, and spending time with his wife, kids, and grandkids.  Bob was an adoring and wonderful father and papa.  We will cherish our memories spent as a family at various properties owned over the years at Mackenzie Island, Wabana, Florida, and Pokegama lake.

Bob is preceded in death by his father, John Serich, mother, Francis Serich, brother-in-law James Ridgeway, his sister Kathleen Bouchie, and dear friends Jack Dowell and Bob Pertlicek.

          Bob is survived by his wife Jule, children Kelly (Paul) Whitted, Tommy Serich, Suzette (Jeremy) Mallum, grandchildren Morgan (Andrew) Grooms, Ben (Robbi) Whitted, Jolinna Serich, Riley Mallum, Dalton Serich, his brother Ron Serich, sisters-in-law Fayette Serich and Janice Ridgeway.  Bob is also survived by his cherished lifelong friend John Dubovich.

          Visitation will be 9:30 AM until the 10:30 AM funeral service on Thursday, June 6, 2024, in the Cohasset Community Center, 305 1st Avenue NW, Cohasset, MN.  Interment will be in the Lakeview Cemetery, Coleraine.

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