Rob Romes

When looking back on the overflowing life of Robert Romes, it is easy to see both his unwavering strength and his unconditional love for his family. He faced challenges head-on with a spirit of fierce determination, and his solid work ethic formed the unshakable foundation of all that he did. Nothing brought Robert greater joy than spending time with his loved ones. His heart of service allowed him to impact the lives of countless others, and his legacy is one of kindness, loyalty and love. Deeply missed, Rob will be forever cherished by those who knew him best.

Robert Daniel Romes was born on June 24, 1988. He was 7 pounds, 3 ounces, and 21 inches long. Robert was named after both of his grandfathers. His father, Kenneth Howard Romes, was a mechanical draftsman; his mother, Rebecca Lynn Romes, was a legal secretary. In 1991, Robert gained Daniel Emmons as his stepfather.

Robert was incredibly kind, sensitive and caring. He loved his family fiercely. He also had a big love of animals and it hurt him to see anyone or anything being mistreated. His sister Sarah has always had problems sleeping. They had bunk beds when they were very little and it always puffed his chest with pride that she would climb in with him; his calming presence helped her sleep. He was fiercely protective of his little sister. She was his protector in school where children are not kind.

Robert was also very protective of his mother. When giving him hugs and kisses she would scratch his back and say, "My Baby." He would hug back and say, "My Momma, nobody else's!" with a sly chuckle and a big grin. He would say he didn't have to share with anyone. It started as a way to rib his sister, but continued throughout his life whether or not someone else was listening.

When he was around 3, Dan bought him an electric car and let him chase him all over the yard. One fine autumn day just Dan and Robert were outside, Robert in his car and Dan raking leaves. Robert came into the house so pleased with himself and said "I killed your Dan" with glee! He was so proud he caught him. He had, indeed, run Dan over.

There weren't that many little boys in nearby houses when he was younger so he ended up at a lot of tea and fancy dress parties his sister had. Robert loved dressing up as a knight with armor and sword; he slayed every dragon around. Much beloved of the girls, he called that character ToNight. He also loved dressing up as the Red Power Ranger and a ninja.

Robert was a happy young man growing up in Comstock Township. Robert started his education with the Chirpens PreSchool through Comstock Public Schools. He loved Chirpens. While in school, Robert had many after school activities. In Elementary School he attended continuing education programs such as gymnastics, Karate classes, and swimming lessons. He loved playing soccer when he was young and was on a Saturday team. He talked to all his classmates about soccer.

Robert enjoyed his birthday parties at school. He loved his classmates asking when, what goodies, what special toys were coming this year. That tradition was continued through Middle School. He loved passing out treats and party bags.

In Middle School Robert started wrestling. He was very proud to be a part of the team. Unfortunately, Robert injured his knee in wrestling, and it would dislocate his knee cap. He had trouble with that knee the rest of his life and it robbed him of his mobility in later life. Also in Middle School, Robert joined the band playing clarinet. Robert stayed in band through High School, and got to go to Canada and Disney World twice with the band. In High School he was the equipment manager, he would pack and unload everyone's instruments for them. He loved being the person everyone depended on. He used his big voice, speed, spatial reasoning, and muscles. It made him feel good about himself to help and be relied upon. He took the responsibility, any responsibility, to heart and was always faithful.

Robert completed a seminar "Make Your Own Medieval Broad Sword." He ground, sanded, shaped, and forged the steel for the sword, made the hilt and the scabbard. He has an impressive knife and katana collection too. He loved shooting guns at the family property down south.

Robert loved movies; he did an awesome Sean Connery 'James Bond' impression. He would buy his niece and nephew movies he enjoyed on Apple TV so they could watch them together. Robert loved the Fast and Furious series and the music and action in them. He loved the series Grimm for its special effects. He loved the Librarians movies and series for their goofiness.

Rob loved his video games. He would play GTA, Fortnite, and others even in the middle of the night because it was daytime for the other player. He made a deck of Pokémon cards for his niece and nephew. It was one of the ways he showed love, and he would have loved to play that game with them.

Robert was well traveled as a youngster. Family vacations taken to Washington, D.C.; Las Vegas, Chicago, Hershey, PA; Court Days, KY; Grand Canyon, Hawaii, Disney World, Cedar Point, Six Flags, and Michigan's Adventure were all fun, but Hawaii was his favorite.

Robert enjoyed handing out Halloween candy when he felt he was too old to trick or treat. The family would have a garage party with pizza, soda, hot chocolate, and hot apple cider. He would give the kids candy, offer warm drinks to children and parents alike; it's cold on Halloween in Michigan. They had random folks join us for pizza too. When Robert was of age, he would offer the parent something medicinal (alcohol) in their cider to ward off the cold with a sly grin, as long as they weren't driving. Halloween was by far his favorite holiday and he celebrated it with relish.

The Fourth of July also held a special place in his heart as a time to play with fire to his contentment. Every year he would get his own box of fireworks to light off with abandon at the family Fourth of July party. The family went every year to watch the big firework displays and brought their own to keep us busy as well.

Christmas was a time he looked forward to as a chance to give as well as receive. He loved meeting up with all our wide flung family and making them all laugh. He doted on the kids at holiday parties, making sure they were never bored.

Rob was fiercely protective of his family. Nothing could ever come before family! He really loved all his many cousins and would always volunteer to help if he could. He would help stuff Easter eggs and help the little ones with the hunt. Even when he was in Elementary School, he would walk in front of his mother so she wouldn't be scared at a haunted house. He had an especially close relationship with his maternal grandfather, with whom he shared a sense of humor -- and a sense of mischief. When his grandfather was dying, Rob wouldn't leave their house for those days; he needed to be with "Gramps" and other family present.

Rob was incredibly generous and made time for his friends. The basement would fill with them. He went to the Comstock Township Library where there was room to spread out the cards with frequency to play mostly Yu!Gi!Oh! with friends, even into adulthood.

Everyone was always welcome in his home. Growing up the house was always full and sleepovers most weekends. Everyone was treated equally and made to feel at home. Robert loved hosting and sharing his many toys and treasures.

Rob was the only social being in the immediate family. He knew the neighbors and their animals and they enjoyed his company. He would walk for hours around Comstock as a teenager and young man. Rob was so much smarter than he ever gave himself credit for. He had a talent for recognizing people and cars instantly. He never forgot a face, a name, or a story. His empathetic spirit had him known all over town as he took his long rambling walks, as an ear to listen, or a shoulder to cry on.

Rob graduated from Comstock High School in 2007. After High School he attended welding classes at KVCC. He stopped school when he got a job at Meijer. Rob worked for Meijer for over 10 years and only took one sick day. He worked bringing the carts into the store. He would use rope and make a train, as he called it, bringing in up to 20 carts at a time in all kinds of weather. He also was a Biohazard Specialist at Meijer, using various chemicals to neutralize any biohazard mess. Rob found so much joy in being able to help the elderly and disabled through his work.

After Meijer Rob worked for Speedway as a clerk. He would frequently have to work the graveyard shift by himself. Rob easily made friends with the policemen and truckers. He took pride in making sure they had fresh coffee, cigarettes, and snacks. They would stay and keep him company when they could. He was eventually fired from Speedway because he helped someone who was suffering from a debilitating event.

Rob loved the family's many cats and acted as their protector, their "Daddy." He would break them up saying "Kisses instead of hisses" and scaring them with the sheer volume of his voice. When he was home and relaxing there was almost always a cat or two on him, keeping him loving company. Robert is survived by his many kitties, but Bilbo was really in his heart and his favorite baby girl. A picture of Bilbo was used in physical therapy at MediLodge as motivation to get better and come home. Despite great anxiety Bilbo did travel to MediLodge to see him. Robert had a nice dream two days before he died that Bilbo was in between his arm and head and she was so happy.

Throughout his life Robert NEVER betrayed a confidence, never told a secret or tattled. He was a true ride or die kind of guy and someone you could depend on. Even with sibling squabbles he never told any of his sister's secrets. He was also his mother's and his sister's co-conspirator. His primary focus in life was in caring for those around him. Though he will be dearly missed, Rob leaves behind the torch of his legacy that his loved ones will be proud to pick up and carry on in his footsteps.

Robert Romes of Kalamazoo, age 36, passed on November 6th, 2024. He is survived by his mother, Rebecca Emmons; step-father, Dan Emmons; father, Ken Romes; sister, Sarah (Shawn) Walker; niece and nephew, Charlotte and Logan Walker; grandmother, Maxine Newton; several aunts and uncles; and many, many cousins. He loved us all, each and every one.

Please join us for a Life Story Service Saturday, November 16 at 2 p.m. at, at Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo (269) 375-2900. A reception will follow where food, drinks, and stories can be shared. Celebrate Rob's life online by sharing stories or photos on his personal webpage at BetzlerLifeStory.com. Memorial donations can be made in his name to the Kalamazoo Humane Society or the SPCA of Southwest Michigan.