Robert L. Brecheisen, Jr.

Robert Lee Brecheisen, Jr., 69 of Petoskey, died August 25, 2015 at his home.

Bob was born on March 26, 1946 in Petoskey, the son of Robert Sr. and Kathleen (Norman) Brecheisen and was raised in Petoskey.   He graduated from St. Francis High School in 1964, where he played football and the coronet.   Bob attended North Central Michigan College in Petoskey for a time before attending and graduating from the Michigan State Police Academy, a career he decided not to continue.  In 1966, he returned to Petoskey and went to work for his father at Brecheisen Diesel Service, eventually becoming president.   He received his Michigan Master Mechanics License, which he held throughout his life.  In 1981 he built a branch in Gaylord and closed the Petoskey location in 1986, but continued to operate the business in Gaylord until he retired in December 2012.

On September 28, 1968, Bob married Phyllis Santini in Rogers City, and the two made their home in Petoskey, where they raised their four children.  Family was always foremost to Bob and he loved spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren.  He took a very active role in his children’s lives and he continued this tradition with his grandchildren.

He was a member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Parish and enjoyed cars and John Deere tractors.

Bob is survived by his wife of 47 years, Phyllis; 4 children, Rachel (Matthew) Fehrenbach of Traverse City, Leah (Tory) Phippen of Sun Prairie, WI, Neil (Shannon) Brecheisen of Haslett, MI, and Mary Kathleen (Andrew) Bielaczyc of Petoskey; 11 grandchildren, Jourdan, Jacob, Tarin, Vaughn, Hudson, Lincoln, Nash, Major, Finn, Josephine, and Olivia; 8 siblings, Norman (Valerie) Brecheisen, Thomas (Linda) Brecheisen, Madelyn (fiancé Phil Dolan) Brecheisen, William (Ann) Brecheisen, Steven (HelleBeate) Brecheisen, Mary Ann (Rick) Hogan, Vincent (Jolynn) Brecheisen, and Matthew Brecheisen; and by many many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and his beloved dog, Smokey.

He was preceded in death by his parents and by a brother, Charles Brecheisen.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, August 29th at 11:00am at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Petoskey.  The family will receive friends at the church on Friday from 4-8pm with the Rosary being recited at 7:00pm.  Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery.

Those wishing to honor Bob's memory are asked to make a donation to the Little Traverse Bay Humane Society.

Arrangements are in the care of the Stone Funeral Home of Petoskey

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