Robert Engstrom

Robert Herman Engstrom truly knew how to enjoy, cherish, and celebrate every moment that life had to offer. Robert was born May 26, 1922 in Grand Rapids, MI the only child of Herman and Myrtle (Finch) Engstrom. He grew up in Sparta where he graduated from Sparta High School. In his youth, he was somewhat of a mischievous boy who, along with his friends, would play innocent and harmless pranks around town that were typical of boys. Being a practical joker, a storyteller, and having a great sense of humor was a trait that Robert will be remembered for by friends and family for many years to come. Robert began studies at Michigan State University and ventured back and forth between the art department and the biology department. He learned taxidermy as a little boy and created many of the exhibits in the museum on campus, many of which are still there today. During Robert’s junior year at Michigan State University and while a member of the ROTC, he was tricked into signing papers for active military duty. He was trained in the very last unit of the horse cavalry on a horse called "Boots" and because these skills were not in big demand, his assignment was delayed for awhile. He soon enough served as a sergeant in the Army Cavalry and saw action at Omaha Beach and the Battle of the Bulge before being wounded in France and eventually being taken a prisoner of war. For the remainder of the war, Robert was held captive in four different POW camps. As a reminder of his struggles in captivity, he kept his last POW bread ration for more than 50 years. Like many veterans, the visions of war had a profound impact upon his life. And, like many other veterans, Robert did not speak openly of many of his wartime experiences. When he was afflicted with Alzheimer’s later in life he released many of the burdens and horrors of the memories of the war. In the early 90’s he returned to the place where he was captured and also to one of the towns where he was held prisoner. In Moosburg, the town mayor heard of his presence and invited him to dinner. There he was honored, given a bottle of the local champagne and featured on the front page of the local paper. The mayor had been a POW in Russia and long time enemies became friends.

Upon his discharge from the Army, Robert returned to Michigan State University where he graduated with both a Bachelor and a Masters Degree in Art. During a pottery class, he met Audrey H. Lesher and "things just clicked." Their friendship turned into romance and Robert and Audrey eloped to Angola, IN where they were married June 13, 1951. Together they would share their passion for art and pass that enthusiasm onto their children and grandchildren and the community.

Robert was very creative and artistic and he seemed to be able to make something out of just about anything. While living in Sparta, MI he and Audrey dug their own clay out of the local dump and created pottery to sell. It was difficult to make a business and support the growing family and they began a jewelry supply company. At this time they both became curious about working with metal and began exploring enamel on copper. Jewelry sold very well and business was good. During this time Bob had many large commissions as well, including a full wall mural at Win Schuler’s Restaurant, and a working fountain in the student center at Central Michigan University. During his years of study and creating enamel on copper jewelry, Robert and Audrey developed "jet line black" ink medium, which is still in use today.

Robert’s zest for art was contagious and he shared that enthusiasm with his students at Western Michigan University where he taught from 1957 until 1984. With his work at WMU, he touched the lives of thousands of young adults and helped them appreciate art. Over the years, Robert was featured in many national trade journals and magazines, and was a member of Midwest Designer Craftsmen and the Michigan Silver Smiths Guild. One of Robert’s many interests in metals was blacksmithing. A finished Viking sword was the crowning jewel of his accomplishments in this field. One of his students, Scott Lankton pursued sword making and worked with Robert and Audrey to replicate the sword from the Sutton Hoo ship burial in England, which is on permanent display in the British Museum.

After his retirement from Western he and Audrey joined forces with their daughter Karel and her husband Glen to found Sironen-Engstrom Jewelers in Kalamazoo. They bought a mobile home in Tucson near their daughter Karin and wintered in the warm Arizona sunshine. Bob got an opportunity to pan for gold and enjoy the beauty of the Arizona desert.

Robert lived an eventful life full of memories, and was blessed with many wonderful experiences. He was a superb story teller, a gourmet cook, stone cutter,

a wonderful whistler and many of us remember his homemade wine. Athletics and nature were important to Robert throughout his life. He enjoyed all types of outdoor activities from cross-country skiing to swimming, scuba diving to biking to just a simple walk in the woods. Later in life, he participated in the Senior Olympics. He was a fine ballroom dancer, and enjoyed a good polka. Robert was proud of his Swedish Heritage. In 1968, he took a sabbatical leave from Western and moved his family to Norway to live for a year, where he studied Scandinavian craftsmen. He was a member of the local Kalamazoo VASA and the Sons of Norway. Robert died January 25, 2003. Members of his family include his wife, Audrey, three daughters; Kristine Engstrom of Vermont, Karin and her husband Walter Lund of Portage, and Karel Engstrom of Paw Paw. Seven grandchildren: Erika and her husband David Mansur, Britta Johnson, Angela Engstrom, Kurt and Robert Oehmke, Kyle and Alina Sironen; a special cousin, Lee J. Brown of Cadillac, a sister-in-law; Dr. Marjorie Hunt of E. Lansing; and brother-in-law, Dr. Wayne Lesher of Lansing. His family will be present to receive friends at the Betzler Funeral Home on Stadium Drive Friday from 2:00-4:00pm and 6:00-7:00pm and a Celebration of Life service will be held at the funeral home that evening at 7:00pm. The family has asked that memorial contributions be made to the Alzheimer’s Disease Association or Michigan Campaign for Quality Care.