Rollin 'Chum' Sycks

BACKUS - Rollin "Chum" Sycks, age 81, of Backus, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, Sept. 4, 2009.

He was born Feb. 10, 1928, in Walker to George and Florence Sycks. Chum graduated from Backus High School in 1946 and served in the U.S. Army from 1950 to 1952 during the Korean War. He married Doreen Gilster on Oct. 23, 1954, in Nimrod. He worked for the DNR from 1956 to 1987. After retiring in 1987, Chum worked as an aerial observer during fire season for the next 13 years. He was an active member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Backus, serving on the Board of Church Properties, and was a member of the Backus Evergreen Cemetery Board of Directors. Chum loved being outdoors and was an avid hunter and trapper. He also enjoyed picking agates, reading, music, wood carving and had a very good sense of humor.

Chum is survived by his wife of 54 years, Doreen; daughters Cheryl Ulicki (Robert) of Nimrod, Twyla Brown (Donald) of Backus; grandsons Brant Ruhl, Jeremy Ruhl (Susan), Urik Ulicki; great-grandchildren Isaiah Ruhl, Hailey Ruhl, Zachariah Ruhl, Amber Ruhl, Corey Ruhl, Justin Rollin Ruhl; brother Vernon "King" Sycks (Lila) of Palmer, Alaska; and several nephews, nieces, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Services will be 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 9, at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Backus, with Pastor Ronald Carnicom officiating. Burial will follow at Evergreen Cemetery, Backus. Visitation will be Tuesday from 5-7 p.m. at Kline Funeral Home, Pine River, and one hour prior to the service at the church.