Robert Alan Erickson was born on June 28, 1933, to Roy W. and Gladys (Sanders) Erickson in Aberdeen, South Dakota.

He was the youngest of four children who lived in Stratford, SD, until he moved to Frankfort, SD, at about 10 years of age.

Robert married Barbara J. Hansen on November 17, 1951, in Tulare, SD. He drove a truck for Bower, McGregor, and Bill Peterson until he moved to Lead, SD, in 1955. There, he worked at the Homestake Gold Mine. He returned to Tulare in 1963 and opened a Standard Oil service station and garage. It was operated by Robert and his family, who also drove a school bus and farmed. In 1971, he took over Albert Hansen's farm west of Tulare and moved there in 1976. Robert and Barbara moved to Piedmont, SD, in 2000.

He is survived by one daughter, Susan Sires; three grandchildren: Shauna (Richard) Woodward, Jason, and Jeremy Erickson; seven great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Barbara, on March 30, 2023, two sons, Daniel C. Erickson, April 7, 2025, and Robert A. Erickson Jr. in 1956, a brother, Ralph “Bill” Erickson, two sisters, Betty Mason, and Vera (Toby) Hilburn Robertson, and son-in-law, Barry Sires.

Robert’s wish was to be cremated, and no services will be held.