Please Use this website to help remeber Robert...

Please take time to reflect on this wonderful mans life and add any stories or photos you may have to this website.  It is very easy to do. The memories shared here will be a treasured for years to come by Carol and Kiani.  Tell the stories of his life, rather they be happy or sad, they will be a precious memory to have forever of a wonderful husband & father.  Robert was true freind to all and any story is, no matter how small is a good story to tell.

Please Donate to help Robert's Family...

Please also donate to the "Robert Kalander Family fund"  to help his family in their most critical time of need.

In the short amount of time that Robert was sick there was a tremendous additional cost and heavy debt that was incurred by his family.

This sad situation has left a wonderful woman and her daughter to take care of themselves with no foreseeable financial relief in sight. Robert was the sole provider for his family and this event has drained them of all finances and stripped them of their financial abilities leaving them stranded in extreme debt.  Please find a way to help this wonderful family find a bit a relief in an otherwise tragic time in their life.

Please Click her to Donate.

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Eulogy of

Robert Andrew Kalander

August 19, 1961 – November 1, 2015

Normally a eulogy, or life sketch, is a list of names, dates, and accomplishments of the individual.  While all of these help to shape the individual, they only tell us half the story of the person we came to know and love.  Robert experienced all the usual events in his relatively short life here on earth, but it was how he achieved them, how he treated others with dignity and respect, and how he cared, and provided, for his family and loved ones that will be remembered and treasured most.

Robert Andrew Kalander was born August 19, 1961 in Astoria, Oregon, a fact he was very proud of, to John and Sandra Kalander, the oldest of 3 children – Robert's brother Steven lives in Homer, Alaska, and his sister Susan lives in Astoria, Oregon.  Growing up, Robert loved spending time at his grandparent's farm in Brownsmead, Oregon.  It was during these visits that Robert developed his great love and respect for the outdoors, and for the beauty of this wonderful creation we all no enjoy.    It was also at this time that he developed a sense of pride and respect for his Finnish ancestry, a trait he displayed throughout his life. 

Robert enjoyed playing Little League baseball, swimming, and various camping activities with the Boy Scouts.  He earned the highest scouting award of Eagle Scout, and is a brotherhood member of the Order of the Arrow.  Robert graduated from Astoria High School in 1979.  

 

Robert was a talented musician, a trait he passed on to his daughter, Kiani.  He loved to play the guitar and sing.  He even won a local talent contest when he was 12.  He played the saxophone in the high school concert and jazz bands.  He traveled with his high school band to Hawaii for competition.  He loved music of all genres, and he shared this love with his wife and daughter.

Robert enjoyed collecting old radios.  He loved cars and trucks, especially working on his 1964 Ford Mustang.  He studied Architecture at the University of Oregon in Eugene, Oregon, and at Texas Tech in Lubbock, Texas.  Robert also studied art at Boston University in Boston, Massachusetts.  He was very artistic, especially in technical drawing, which led to his occupation in architecture.  Robert loved to design homes, many were built in Oregon, Washington, Montana, and Alaska.  He designed beautiful log homes that were built in Kalispel and Whitefish Montana and Alaska.  He also worked on designs for large projects, new and remodels, such as an airport, apartment, complexes, churches, and office buildings including the remodel of the court house here in Palmer.

Robert loved to travel throughout the United States and Canada.  He loved the mountains and the outdoors.  He also travel to Scotland and England.  He spent time living in Oregon, Texas, Washington, Montana, and finally settled in Alaska.  His Scandinavian heritage was very important to him and he spent a lot of time researching his ancestors in Norway, Finland, and Iceland.  He was a member of the Sons of Norway Bernt Balchen Lodge in Anchorage.  He loved woodworking and carving Scandinavian figurines.

Robert was a very faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, being converted and baptized at the age of 32 on December 8, 1993.  He held many positions of leadership in the various wards he attended.  Most recently he was the High Priest Group Leader in the Palmer Ward, where his love of family history and temple work served him well.

Robert is married to Carol Ann Mitchell Kalander and they have one daughter, Kiani Ann Kalander, his pride and joy. 

Robert lost his short but courageous battle with cancer on November 1, 2015 in Palmer, Alaska.  At that time, one of our Father in Heaven's brightest lights was temporally dimmed.  Robert was very inspirational in how he died, but even more in the way he lived.  He had a heart of gold and loved serving others.  I will always cherish the fact that he called me brother and his friend.

Read by:  Kay Omer at his funeral services in Palmer, Alaska on November 7, 2015.