Robert "Bob" Severson

Intelligent, compassionate, kind, and funny, Robert "Bob" Severson lived a life rich in family and friends. "Living on the edge," Bob reveled in the fast lane, but always knew when to ease off the throttle. He was a gifted psychologist, fearless motorcyclist, passionate traveler, and compassionate advocate who embodied the principles he believed in. Bob welcomed each day as a gift and every person as a friend, cherishing each moment and living life to the fullest. A devoted father, grandfather, great-grandfather, psychologist, and friend, Bob will long be remembered by all who were blessed to know him.

Despite the obvious gloom of the growing conflict in Europe, 1939 held much to celebrate, including the end of the Great Depression, the premieres of the classic films Gone With the Wind and The Wizard of Oz, regular nationwide television broadcasts, and the World's Fair in New York. As the US actively armed up for war, families continued to center their lives on love and hope for a brighter future. Nowhere was that hope more evident than in the Severson home as they welcomed their son, Bob, into their family on December 7.

The oldest of the four Severson kids, Bob liked being in charge of his younger siblings Sally, Jean, and Gary. The siblings were very close growing up and helped one another through the tough era they lived through. While his mom worked in a nursery school, his father taught auto mechanics at Ferris College and owned his own body shop. As a kid, Bob loved riding his scooter and he eventually raced motorcycles. Everything was about cars for him; his dad was his role model and exposed Bob to mechanics at a young age.

After graduating from Big Rapids High School in 1958, Bob immediately entered the Navy. While stationed in Iceland, Bob met his first wife, Anna Agustsdottir, who was born in Reykjavik. They met under the radar, but grew very close and married on October 25, 1961. It was also during this time that Bob's love for travel was born.

Very social, bright, and articulate, Bob returned to Michigan after his service. In 1973, Bob and Anna settled in Kalamazoo, where Bob pursued his undergraduate and graduate degrees in psychology at Western Michigan University. Bob was passionate about social issues and represented many people who didn't have a voice in the community. As a psychologist working with those with addiction, his work focused on high-risk people, including those who didn't have anyone else in their lives. Honored to do this work, he always approached it with great kindness and compassion, and felt great pride in the gift of his calling.

While Bob loved motorcycles and Anna loved opera, they supported each other's own hobbies and interests. Bob's job was so taxing that he needed the motorcycles to help him relax. In his younger years, Bob raced in a couple of 50-mile endurance motorcycle races. Bob was a champion for his community and people; it didn't matter who they were; everyone deserved a chance. He and Anna often brought people to church who had no way to get there. Evenings were always focused on family time, and when it came to his boys, Bob was an active father and positive role model. Well into their later years, Bob and his siblings would spend summer weekends together at a cousin's cottage, talking and enjoying each other's company. Sadly, Anna died in 2004.

In 2008, Bob met his second wife, Kay, online. Though Bob was retired, Kay was working at the time. They had much in common, including having lived in Europe and finding great enjoyment in simple things, such as going to the theater, attending art shows, and traveling. In 2010, Bob and Kay married at the Kalamazoo Nature Center during a thunderstorm.

Bob relished being a grandpa and cherished time with them. He was a terrific and extremely entertaining storyteller. The grandkids loved his stories and would eagerly huddle around Grandpa to listen to his tales. Bob was so good at telling stories, while taking a writing course, the entire class would save Bob's stories for last because his were the best.

A lifelong learner, Bob's natural curiosity and intelligence inspired a love of reading, relationships, adventure, and a desire to live every moment of his life to the fullest. He loved non-fiction, especially history and documentaries, and he and Kay would often talk in great detail about what they were reading. Friends and family filled his bucket, as did riding his motorcycles in the middle of nowhere. Bob was a social guy, he even shared a cherished lifelong friendship with his high school buddy, Kenny. For a long time, he rode with a motorcycle group until he and one other member were the last to ride. Though his love for the ride never waned, Bob knew at age 72 it was time to stop. Having enjoyed his travels to Europe and the gifts of meeting people and learning their histories and cultures, he always encouraged others to "Travel while you can." For a time, Bob even flew planes. His father owned a Piper, which sparked Bob's rebellious spirit and love of flight. Bob took many lessons, flew over Allegan at one point, and had a close call when a snow swell came off the lake, and he had to maneuver out of it quickly. In his retirement Bob started volunteering at Kalamazoo’s Air Zoo. He loved being able to spend all day talking to others about his favorite things. His son John will miss their post-NASCAR-race Sunday calls, which were one of their most recent favorite things to share.

As we celebrate Bob's wonderful life, we remember how he was never one to be superficial, mean-spirited, or arrogant. His legacy includes the art of leading with his heart in all things, connecting deeply, confidently facing life's challenges, and never hesitating to give his gifts in the service of others. Without a doubt, his intelligence, humor, and adventurous spirit left a lasting mark on everyone fortunate enough to share time with him. May we find much comfort in our many treasured memories and in the honor of carrying Bob's legacy of faith, hope, and love forward.

Robert was preceded in death by his first wife, Anna (Agustsdottir) Severson; his son, Robert Paul Severson; his sister, Sally (David) Hicks; and his brother, Gary Severson. Surviving are his wife, Kay (Jackson) Severson; son, John (Elaine) Severson; grandchildren, Matthew (Colleen) Severson, Mitchell Severson, Riley Severson, Kaley Severson, Tess Severson; great-Grandchildren, Caleb and Sam; former daughter-in-law Karen; and sister, Jean (Bill) Carpenter; and many nieces and nephews.

Please join us for a Life Story Service on Friday, May 15, at 11 AM at Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo (269) 375-2900. A reception will follow in the Life Story Center, where food, drinks, and stories will be shared. Burial at Hill Cemetery at a later date. Celebrate Bob's life online by sharing your favorite stories and photos on his dedicated webpage at BetzlerLifeStory.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research and the Air Zoo Aerospace & Science Center.