Robert J. Sturgis

STURGIS, Robert (Bob) Joel Sturgis, age 83 of Flint, Michigan, (formerly from Ocala Florida) was welcomed into the arms of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on July 18, 2012. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, July 23, 2012 at the Brown Funeral Home, 1480 E. Hill Road, Grand Blanc, with Rev. Carl Petty officiating. Interment to follow at New Calvary Catholic Cemetery. The family will receive friends Saturday from 5 to 8 p.m. and Sunday 2 to 4 & 6 to 8 p.m. Born in Flint, Michigan, on September 22, 1928, Bob was the only child of Manuel and Dixie (Powers) Sturgis. He spent his early years in Malden, Missouri where he enjoyed the companionship of his special cousins, Brent, Billy and John and grandparents, John Washington and Nebraska Powers. Bob loved baseball and was a semi-professional ballplayer for the Detroit Tigers Farm Team. He proudly served his country in the United States Air Force from 1948 to 1952 as an aircraft mechanic. His military career took him to several places, most notably, Morocco, Africa. He was honorably discharged and returned to Flint, where he met the love of his life, Rose (Bogasky) Sturgis. Bob and Rose were married in Angola, Indiana on December 30, 1954. They owned and operated service stations in Malden, Missouri and Orlando, Florida. He and Rose sold their businesses and moved back to Flint and settled in Flushing, Michigan. Bob worked for Chevrolet V-8 for 28 years. He and Rose both retired and moved to Ocala, Florida, where he loved the sunshine and warmth of Florida. They resided among the beautiful rolling hills and pastures of thoroughbred horses. Bob and Rose enjoyed the company of loving neighbors Ernie and Rose, Walt and Charlotte and Mark and Penny. He loved to watch old movies and particularly enjoyed the old cowboy westerns. He loved to spend time with his wife, Rose and they often traveled to different destinations throughout the country. He was proud of his American Indian heritage and shared this pride with his children and grandchildren. Bob leaves to cherish his memory, his devoted wife, Rose and children, son, Rick (Karen) Sturgis of Flushing, daughters, Ronda (Tim) Sturgis- VanRaemdonck of Flint, and Regina (Phil) Sturgis-Johnson of Montrose. Grandchildren Kaitlynn and Sarah, Jeremy, Gregory VanRaemdonck, Olivia and Noah Sturgis-Johnson, Doug (Chris)Parkinson, Kevin (Unice) Parkinson, David (Sahsa) Parkinson, great granddaughter Harlo Johnson. And Host of special nieces and nephews. Brothers and Sisters in law; Maryann Ressigue, William and Dorothy Chambers, Lawrence and Stephanie Kosa, Leonard and Wendy Bogasky. Bob was preceded in death by his parents Manuel and Dixie Sturgis, Brothers in law, Freeman Ressigue and Stanley Bogasky. In Lieu of flowers the family is requesting donations be made to Helping Encourage Abilities in Riders through Therapeutic Horsemanship (HEART) 11455 W. Beecher Road Flushing Michigan 48433. Condolences may be shared with the family at www.brownfh.com.