Robert Joseph Champa, Jr.

Robert (Bob) Joseph Champa Jr., 70, of Ely, Minnesota, passed away unexpectedly at his home on July 20, 2021.

He was born to parents Robert and Helen Champa on October 30, 1950 in Winton, Minnesota.

He graduated from Ely Memorial High School in 1969 and went on to study HVAC at Dunwoody Institute.

Bob worked as a Hvac Technician for 30 years in the Ely area. He retired from Starkman Oil Company in 1998.

He enjoyed hunting & fishing, splitting and stacking wood on his wood pile, morning coffee at the GEL, and spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren who he especially loved sharing his outdoor passions with.  Bob spent countless hours teaching firearms safety to the youth of Ely and was honored with an award for 40 years of volunteer instructor service by the MN DNR.

Bob married Kathy Polyner on July 20, 1974 in Ely, MN. Together they raised their 2 children: Kristi & Bobby at their home filled with love, laughter and adventure on Farm Lake

Bob is survived by his wife Kathy, daughter Kristin (Kurt) Mattila of Ely MN, son Robert (Aurora) Champa of Ely MN, grandchildren Nick, Eric, & Tyler Mattila, Tanner & Taya Champa, siblings Louise (Herb) Kieke of Clearwater, MN, Louis Champa of Ely, MN, and Linda (Bruce) Fritz of St. Cloud, MN.  He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews and close friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

A Graveside Service will take place at the Ely cemetery Wednesday, July 28th at 10:30am.  A reception will follow at Grand Ely Lodge. Reverend Father Bill Skarich will officiate.

Family Services provided by Bauman-Vermilion, A Bauman Family Funeral Home in Tower. To share condolences online, please see:www.baumanfuneralhome.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Robert Joseph Champa, Jr., please visit our floral store.