Robert E. Laitinen, age 58, died at home on Monday, July 12, 2021, the result of a heart attack. The son of Fred and Rose (Cornelius) Laitinen, Rob was born on March 18, 1963, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In the early 1970s, Rob contracted post chicken pox encephalitis, and became paralyzed. Rob was evaluated by experts at Children’s Hospital of Milwaukee and after several days, his family was told there was no hope for survival, and Rob was sent home to die. Miraculously, Rob survived, learned to walk again, and became an exceptional athlete going on to play offensive guard and defensive end for the Mellen Granite Diggers. He was named an all-conference player. Rob was a 1981 graduate of Mellen High School. Rob attended UW River Falls and Northland College. In 1984, Rob started as a lineman apprentice with Alliant Energy (formerly Wisconsin Power and Light) and rose to the level of journeyman. A proud member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Rob retired in 2018. Rob was proud to have traveled to areas of the country ravaged by hurricanes to help restore electricity to thousands who were in need. In 1984, Rob married Pamela Charles, and they had three sons: Jeremiah, Justin, and Jacob. In the 1980s, Rob could be found most Saturday nights drag racing his motorcycle at the Wisconsin International Raceway in Kaukauna. Recently, Rob spent time shooting in an archery league and fishing from his kayak. Rob was a talented artist and enjoyed sketching and painting. A lifelong lover of the outdoors, Rob hunted and fished since childhood. He shared this love with his sons. He bagged a wild boar, a bear, and many deer with his bow. Coon hunting with his father, brother, cousin Merlie Cornelius, Terry and Dale Metoxen, Brian and Rick Denny and other members of the Denny Family, Rob’s skill as a climber really shined. Rob fished tournaments with hook and line and with his bow. Rob fished tournaments with his friend and brother lineman, “Grizz”, his brother, Fred, and nephew, John. Rob became an expert archer, shooting in competitions at the state and regional level. Rob’s son, Jeremiah joined him in archery tournaments. In one competition, Rob split a competitor’s arrow that was already in the bullseye. Hunting and fishing in Ballou, Wisconsin was something Rob enjoyed for many years. Rob was a lifelong Packers fan. Unless he was in his tree stand or at work, Rob never missed a game. Rob is survived by his sons: Jeremiah, of Oneida, Justin, of Green Bay, Jacob, of Green Bay; his parents, Fred and Rose (Cornelius) Laitinen of Oneida, Jennie (Mike) Thewis of Mellen, Fred (Jane) Laitinen of Green Bay, and Laura (Breck) Laitinen-Warren of Green Bay. Rob is also survived by his ex-wife, Pam, several nieces and nephews and his beloved yellow lab, Kaley. Rob was proceeded in death by his paternal grandparents, Fred and Mabel (Pajari) Laitinen and Julius “Joe” and Alice (King) Cornelius, nephew and close family friend, Bruce Funmaker, Brother Lineman and friend, “Animal”, and his beloved dogs, Sisu and Leo. Friends and family are asked to gather and share memories at the Ryan Funeral Home in DePere on Saturday, July 17, 2021, from 9:00 AM until 11:00 AM. Graveside services will follow at Holy Apostle’s Cemetery in Oneida, Wisconsin, with the Reverend Rodger Patience, Vicar of Holy Apostles Episcopal Church, officiating. The family wishes to thank the Green Bay Metro Fire Department, the Oneida Police Department, the Brown County Medical Examiner’s Office, and Ryan Funeral Home for the assistance, care, and compassion shown during this difficult time.