Robert Alexander Kaikkonen

1943 - 2022

Robert Alexander Kaikkonen
September 8, 1943
- September 20, 2022
RIP Banjo Bob, God Bless You!
"Banjo Bob"
…a Cloverdale icon has sailed into the sunset.
Robert, "Bobby" in his youth, Kaikkonen passed away last Tuesday after a short battle with cancer. Robert lived in Cloverdale most of his adult life and was well known in the area as "Banjo Bob." Born in Detroit, MI, raised as a devout Catholic, who was once an altar boy, he attended Precious Blood school and Salesian High, both in Detroit, MI.
He greatly enjoyed all types of boating, especially sailing. Bob owned a wooden folk boat built in Denmark. It was the 17th folk boat ever to be registered to the SF Bay. Originally kept in Sausalito then moved to Petaluma's Lakeville Marina. Bob was a fine craftsman who built a wooden boat called "Isabelle" in honor of his only grandchild, Izzy. He also built an incredible, three-story high tree house in Cloverdale. Bob was an avid photographer and had talent as a fine artist. He joined the army in the '60s and was stationed in South Korea where he served as a land surveyor and map maker. Later Bob was the surveyor for Sea Ranch in northern CA and also for the Redwood Empire Ice Arena.
Music was his joy. He played the banjo with the best of them. He loved music, especially folk music and he always wore a hat! Banjo worked as a surveyor in partnership with John Doble. Before partnering with Doble, he worked at Brelje and Race in Santa Rosa.
Robert Kaikkonen is survived by his daughter Kim Kaikkonen Keahiolalo of Hilo, HI and her husband Ted, his daughter Kisstrin Kaikkonen Cozier of Novato, CA, his ex-wife Joyce Kaikkonen of Clearlake (formerly of Forestville). He leaves behind an older sister, Viola "Dolly" Kirksey of Ft. Myers, FL, an older brother, Arthur Reggie Kaikkonen of Northport, FL, and a younger brother, Gus Kaikkonen of New York, NY. His last direct descendant is Miss Isabelle Cozier, currently attending college in Santa Barbara, CA.
Robert was laid to rest Monday, September 26th in a private service for the family and close friends. Fr. Sean Rogers of St John's Catholic Church, Healdsburg, CA officiated Robert's final blessing.
Friends of Banjo are invited to a "Pot Luck" Celebration of Life, today, Thursday, Sept.ember29th at 2pm, at the residence of Ms. Jonie Sciaini, 28735 River Road (Gibson Road) Cloverdale. If you need more info please email kisstrin@comcast.net.
Donations to help cover Banjo's end of life expenses are greatly appreciated and can be mailed to Kisstrin Kaikkonen Cozier, PO Box 1527, Novato, CA 94948.