Bob Houser

Robert “Bob” Houser was to his family and friends one who loved his family dearly and unconditionally, who would take the shirt off his back for anyone. His sense of humor is described best as being “Just Bob”. When Bob would tell a joke, to all who knew him would say, “that’s just Bob”. His generous heart led him to help without a second thought. He never cared about praise or recognition; all he wanted was to feel needed, and he was. Bob leaves warm memories and lasting love, laughter and practical jokes in the hearts of everyone blessed to know him.

Bob was born in South Bend, Indiana on October 14, 1949. In the same year, the world was introduced to the microwave oven, Tennessee Williams’ A Streetcar Named Desire premiered, and Communism threatened to penetrate American life. Bob, meanwhile, made his place within his family. He enjoyed a typical childhood growing up in Bloomingdale, Michigan with his two brothers, Bill and Mike, and sister Wendy. His dad provided for the family working as an auto mechanic at a local service station, while his mom, who Bob affectionately called “darling,” was a waitress. In retrospect his parents was where Bob must have learned his strong work ethic. Bob was an all around good kid and liked by everyone. He was a good student in school, especially when it came to math (his daughter called him a human calculator), and was a star player in basketball. Bob left Bloomingdale High School before graduating and enlisted in the U.S. Army. Once his tour of duty was over, he returned home and earned his GED.

It wasn’t long before Bob met someone who touched his heart. Her name was Helen, and she was a waitress at the place Bob frequented. In fact, Helen’s friends felt Bob and her would be great together telling her “they had the perfect guy for her.” Missing the “ladies-man” gene and being very shy, Bob finally found the courage to ask Helen out on a date. In time Helen taught Bob humility as he finally held her hand in public. As fate would have it, Bob and Helen fell in love and were soon married. Protective of his new bride, Bob wanted Helen to change careers to allow her more time at home with the kids. Having a strong family was important to Bob, and he wanted only what was best for them. As a father, he was a firm disciplinarian and always led by example, but he made sure his children knew they were loved.

Many wonderful memories were made as a family on vacations and camping trips. They often “roughed it” at their cabin up north, which had no electricity, and they joked that the cabin was in one county and the outhouse was in another. Bob and Helen also enjoyed bowling with other couples so the kids could all hang out together. Bob wasn’t one to be idle and kept busy with many hobbies and interests, like bowling, hunting, golfing and playing slots at a casino. He always looked forward to hunting trips with his brothers, dad, uncle and friends in Iron City in the Upper Peninsula, where after a day of hunting, they would all hang out at the Rousseu Bar for some beer and great laughs. The Cabin aka “The Top Shelf” only had one rule; “What happens at cabin, stays at the cabin.” It was in Bob’s nature to always want to take care of things, from his family to his car. For many years, Bob worked as a mechanic for the Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Department before retiring in 2003.

Prior to his retirement his family shared an example of Bob’s own way of protecting even the little things in his family’s lives. Once while servicing his daughter Patti’s car he found the tabs had expired. Bob, being “Just Bob” reminded her by holding her car hostage on a hoist in the garage until she got the tabs. Life honored Bob with becoming the proud “grandpa” of five grandchildren, Marissa, Jordan, Austin, Noah and Ethan; who he adored. He was even present at a couple of their births. Over the years, his wife Helen had fought and later succumbed to cancer, through which Bob took tender loving care of her until her death in 2003. Her passing truly left a hole in Bob’s heart, but he found great comfort in his family and friends.

In the fall of 2009, Bob met Carol McMillan while bowling; although they were on different teams, they shared the same circle of friends. Still missing that “ladies-man gene, Bob didn’t have the nerve to ask her out, but as luck would have it Carol gave him her address and phone number so they could carpool to bowling. He followed her home to see where she lived which offered it’s self to an engaging conversation in her driveway and the courage to ask Carol on a date. Bob asked, Carol said “yes.” and so their romance began. From their first date they were comfortable with each other and they just simply talked about “life.” Their love blossomed and the two were engaged before Thanksgiving (2011), and set a wedding date. He and Carol went ahead with their wedding plans on February 5th. Sadly, Bob died in his home on Tuesday, February 21, 2012, at the age of 62 in the comfort of his home with his wife Carol and his daughter Patti.

Although Bob will be deeply missed, his legacy of love and dedication leaves his loved ones with wonderful memories and a strong foundation to look to for comfort.

Learn more about Robert and visit with his family and friends while sharing refreshments on Thursday, February 23, from 5:00-8:00 p.m. at the Life Story Funeral Home, Betzler-Kalamazoo, 6080 Stadium Drive; 375-2900. Funeral Service will be held at the funeral home at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, February 24. Interment at Alamo Cemetery.

Robert was preceded in death by his father; previous wife, Helen, in 2003; and daughter, Christy Phelps. He is survived by his wife, Carol (McMillan) Houser; mother; brothers, Bill (Carol) Houser, and Mike (Peggy) Houser; sister, Wendy (Mike) Douglas; children, Patricia (John) Jackson, Robert and Scott Houser; and 5 grandchildren. Please visit Robert’s personal web page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you may share a memory, upload a photo and sign his online guest book before coming to the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan.