Robert "Sully" Sullivan, 87, of Rapid City, SD, died at Monument Health, Rapid City on Sunday, January 15, 2023.

Sully was born in Salem, OR, on December 2, 1935, to Larry and Minnie Sullivan. At age 17, he joined the U.S. Army where he was stationed in Germany after WWII. Shortly after he returned home, in 1956, he met the love of his life, Adelia "Deana" Kirkland. They were happily married on December 25, 1957, and they would have celebrated their 65th Anniversary this past Christmas.

Sully had an aptitude for automotive repair, so he soon made a lifelong career of working on and operating heavy equipment for several unions. This career had him working up and down the West Coast including California, Oregon, Idaho, Washington, Canada, and Alaska. They had their son Kirk Sullivan in 1959, and their daughter Cheryl in 1961. They spent several years in Hillsboro, OR, raising their family. When he retired from the union, they moved to Red Bluff, CA, where they owned and operated a laundry mat, beauty salon, and eventually a deli.

Sully and Deana retired for the second time and moved to Brookings, OR, where they spent over a decade living and traveling around to visit family and friends. They enjoyed making friends in the community and spent countless hours going for walks on the beach in the beautiful seaside town they decided to call home. In 2012, they moved to Rapid City, SD to live closer to their daughter, to live out the rest of their years.

Not only was he a loving husband and father but an amazing grandfather. He loved to listen to his grandchildren's current events and say things like, "You're doing great kid!" and "I think that's super!" He always had genuine enthusiasm and encouragement for his grandchildren's achievements no matter how big or small.

When Deana passed away in 2021, Sully stayed busy with projects on his house and company from his family and friends. He loved to visit and get to know his neighbors who were very gracious and kind to him. His daughter and the community of people around him helped him get through the difficult time of living without his wife, and he genuinely appreciated everything they did.

Everyone who met Sully felt his kindness and charm. It is hard to sum up a person's life in so few words, but his life was well lived, with lots of fun, love, and kindness. He will be missed by all who knew him.

He is survived by his daughter, Cheryl; grandchildren, Joshua, Shara, and Samantha; great grandchildren, Christopher, Scott, Shyan, and Aribella. He is also survived by his sister, Sandy; and several nieces and nephews.