Robert Alban Isaacson, 90, died November 3, 2016 in Solvay Hospice House in Duluth, MN with his family at his side. Robert, better known as Ike or Dorby, was born in Brooklyn, NY and was raised in Duluth, MN. Dorby set off at an early age to enlist in the Marine Corps and do his part during World War II, serving as a Machine Gunner in the 3rd Marine Division in Guam and Iwo Jima. He was wounded on Iwo Jima and was awarded the Purple Heart. Dorby was fiercely patriotic and was disappointed when he was told he could not reenlist for another deployment after recovering from his injuries. When he returned stateside he took a job sailing on ships that traveled the Great Lakes. On those ships he made numerous friends from which came a plan to meet up and travel to Alaska - not yet a State. While in Alaska Dorby pursued many adventures including hunting, fishing and homesteading. He also worked on Military Radar sites and had a gold mine with a friend he had meet while sailing the Great Lakes. He enjoyed his years in Alaska when it truly was the last frontier. He also learned to fly while in Alaska and owned several airplanes. As a young boy Dorby took his first airplane ride on a Ford Tri-Motor Airplane in Superior, WI. And this past September took his last airplane ride in that same model plane again in Superior, WI. In 1958 he married Geraldine Rose McPherson Strange. Gerri and her daughter Linda moved to Alaska and there were soon two other children, Sara and Aili. Dorby was a great provider, husband, and father. The family subsequently returned to Duluth, MN in the late 1960s. While living in Duluth, Dorby along with Gerri owned and operated the Lake Motel in addition to his full time job working at the heating plant at the Duluth Airbase. Later he worked for WLSSD, where he enjoyed driving and maintaining the heavy equipment. Dorby was never one to sit still.  He enjoyed figuring out how things ran or were put together. Building things was a passion that started early on when he built model airplanes as a young boy and continued on to bigger projects like houses and barns. He enjoyed the outdoors hunting and fishing or taking walks. Dorby and Gerri made Cape Coral, FL their home from 1993 to 2013. After all the winters in Alaska and Minnesota he was happy to not shovel snow and enjoyed swimming daily. Recently he has resided with his daughter and son-in-law in Superior, WI where he continued to swim daily, his last swim was only two days prior to entering Solvay Hospice House. Dorby was also an animal lover and his most recent constant companion was his dog Lady. Dorby was preceded in death by his wife of 52 years, Geraldine in 2010; his parents, Aili and Hans Isakson; and his grandsons, William and Geffrey diBonaventura. He is survived by daughter, Linda (Frank) Kless of Harrisburg, PA and grandchildren, Sarah and Kate Beaver; daughter, Sara (Jim) McCumber of Superior, WI and grandchildren, Ian and Aili; daughter, Aili diBonaventura and grandchildren, Elizabeth and Henry of Fairfield, CT; sister, Grace Williams of Lancaster PA; sister-in-laws, Cathy (Al) Spottkke of Mendota Heights, MN and Sandra (Mickey) Farrell of Duluth, MN; as well as many nieces and nephews. At Dorby's request there will be no funeral. Memorial gifts may be made to Solvay Hospice House, 801 Baylis St, Duluth, MN 55811. A GATHERING OF FRIENDS AND FAMILY to remember and toast Dorby's life will be held on Saturday, December 3rd from 1 pm to 4 pm at The Clyde Iron Works, 2920 W Michigan St, Duluth, MN.