Charles Streicher

Charles “Charlie” Streicher, aged 82, a resident of Houghton, Michigan, passed away on Wednesday, February 8, 2023, following a lengthy illness.

He was born in October 1940, in Niagara Falls, New York, a son of the late William and Julia Streicher. Charlie graduated from LaSalle High School and then attended Michigan Technological University (MTU) to pursue a degree in Civil Engineering. He was a Professional Engineer, earning his credentials and practicing in both Michigan and Florida.

Following graduation, he started his career as a Civil Engineer in Juneau, Alaska, before returning to the UP that he had learned to love. He was an Engineer at the White Pine Copper Company and later at UP Engineering, where he served as Vice President, before spending 20 years at UPPCO ending as the Superintendent of Hydroelectric Dams.

He often said retirement wasn’t yet for him, so in the final stage of his career he worked in several engineering and consulting positions, which enabled many opportunities to travel.

On February 21, 1986, he married the former Carol Mikkola of Dollar Bay, Michigan, and had a wonderful almost 37 years of marriage. They spent several years traveling and having adventures during the later years of Charlie’s career, experienced many winters with friends and family in Florida, and thoroughly enjoyed their cottage on the Lake Superior shore at Rabbit Bay.

Charlie was a proud Volunteer Member of the Houghton Fire Department for 20 years and served as treasurer. He is a member and past President of the Houghton Lions Club and a member of the Golden M Society of MTU.

Over the years, he was very active in church activities and served in many capacities within the different congregations he belonged to. He is a member of the Gloria Dei Lutheran Church of Hancock, Michigan. He possessed a beautiful singing voice and loved the old hymns. In his lifetime he belonged to many church choirs, including his winter Florida choir.

His survivors include his wife, Carol, 8 daughters and stepdaughters. Some of the girls live locally or are part-time Copper Country residents, including Diana (Bob) Hocking, Jennifer Laplander, Sara Antila, Dr. Amy (Dr. Kester) Clarke, Laura (Jeremy) Lee and Sarah (Matt) Zimmermann, with Penny Streicher residing in Marquette, Michigan and Samantha Streicher residing in Indiana.

He had 14 grandchildren and step-grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren, a sister Patricia (Steve) Tweedie of Oklahoma, a niece, nephews, and cousins.

Charlie was a faithful, kind man who loved to laugh heartily, sing joyously, and eagerly tell jokes. He lived life to the fullest and enjoyed a lifelong love of reading and woodworking.

He spent a lot of time with his grandchildren Alex Marier and Paige Marier-Grant while they were growing up and made many wonderful memories with his granddaughters Cheyenne and Aspen Laplander playing games, collecting beach glass, and performing impromptu fireworks displays at Rabbit Bay.

He will be greatly missed.

A celebration of Charlie’s life will be held at a later date. To view Charlie’s obituary or to send condolences to the family please visit memorialchapel.net.

The Memorial Chapel Funeral & Cremation Service – Hancock chapel is assisting the family with the arrangements.