WAKEFIELD, Mich. - Robert "Bobby O" Orlich, of Wakefield, was gifted eternal life on Saturday, June 14, 2025, following an automobile accident. Born at home in Plymouth Location, Wakefield, on March 18, 1944, Bob was a lifelong Wakefield Cardinal, graduating from Wakefield High School in 1962, where he was proudly part of the Wakefield 1960 Class C State Champion Team.

After attending barber school in Hamtramck, Michigan, Bob followed his brothers to Milwaukee, where he barbered and opened The Balkan Lounge with Richard, Rudy and Joseph. After a decade of polka, parties and Richard's upside-down accordion playing - and a stint as a freight ship longshoreman (I'll bet you didn't know that about Bobby O) - Bob returned home to the Upper Peninsula, where he spent the rest of his life - later becoming a part of the sunset at his favorite place, Lake Gogebic.

A Gogebic County Commissioner, Wakefield Township Supervisor, real estate agent, barber, avid deer hunter and walleye angler, Bob spent his life on the Gogebic Range truly connecting with people and serving the community. Bob was working on it before you knew you needed it: he collaborated as Township Supervisor with Forward Wakefield to help establish the Renaissance Zone in Wakefield Township, on Gogebic County Land Bank to steward and repurpose area property, and to dutifully bring half a sheet cake from Randall's Bakery to Central School every year on his son's birthday.

Among these many roles, his proudest was to be Jade's dad.

Bob is survived by his son, Jade, Ferndale, Michigan; a brother, Joseph, Milwaukee; and a special friend, Tara Hamilton, Wakefield.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Rade and Antonia (Malovrh) Orlich; six brothers, Mike (Flora), George (Blanche), Louie (Maureen), Rudy (Bonnie), Frank (Virginia) and Richard; and three sisters, Mary (Vern), Angie (Ron) and Sophie (Jack).

At Bob's request, private services and interment will be held. A celebration of life luncheon will be announced for friends and family.

Jerald Rocco, owner and manager of Lakeside Memorial Chapel Inc., in Wakefield, is assisting the family with arrangements. To send online condolences or to share a memory, please go to lakesidememorialchapel.com.