Robert "Rob" Edward King

Robert Edward King was born on a warm autumn day, October 3, 1955. Our family had recently moved from a small, 800 square foot home in the west side of Ypsilanti to an attractive English Tudor home on Washtenaw three blocks from the Eastern Michigan campus. Six people in our former house was a tight squeeze and another child on the way (Rob), prompted the immediate need for more room. It wasn’t long before Rob outgrew his crib and moved into a bedroom with older brother Jim. Together, the two boys came up with creative ways to play pranks on some of the other kids in the neighborhood. One young fearless girl bragged often about how nothing could frighten her until the night when Rob & Jim had a Frankenstein mask strategically placed in a large bush that they could control several yards away and as the young girl walked by the bush, they were able to pull strings and make the mask move. The young girl shrieked and never bragged again about her courage.

Coming from a musical family, all seven children had some degree of musical appreciation or aptitude. Rob's was in the percussion area and developed into a skilled drummer. After attending Pioneer High School in Ann Arbor, Rob met some other musicians which ultimately became the punk rock group Destroy All Monsters. Their music was widely acclaimed in the US but even more so in Europe where the group performed in the famous Cavern Club in Liverpool, England which also housed the Beatles. Rob’s musical gifts also were evident as a piano tuner at his dad’s piano business, King’s Keyboard House, where he was employed for much of his adult work life.

Rob was a quiet person much like his father, Richard, but he was always paying attention and inserting a pertinent comment during conversation to let you know he was engaged. Like many of his siblings, Rob attended St. John the Baptist Elementary School before his family moved to Ann Arbor where he attended Slauson Jr. High. During Rob’s later years, he was active in AA support groups and attended Bible Study Fellowship with his brothers Russ & Jim. It was also during this time that Rob attended a spiritual retreat called the Walk to Emmaus, where he made a decision to follow Jesus. The last 4 weeks on earth were a struggle for Rob but despite his painful battle with pneumonia and a ventilator, you could still see a twinkle in Rob’s eye, and you knew he was smiling at you and happy that you were with him. We already miss Rob but are lifted by the thought that he is at home with his Creator & Savior – Jesus Christ.

Rob is survived by his mother, Pat King, siblings, Jeff King, Julie King, Jim King & Russ King. Also mourning his loss are nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends.

He is predeceased by his siblings Charlotte and Martha King.

A visitation for Rob will be held Saturday, November 11, 2023 from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM at Muehlig Funeral Chapel, 403 S 4th Avenue, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48104, immediately followed by a funeral Service at 5:00 PM.

Contributions in Rob's memory may be made to Redeeming Hope Church, Plymouth Arts & Recreation Complex, 650 Church, Plymouth, Michigan 48170 US, https://redeeminghopechurchmi.churchcenter.com/giving; and Friends of the Master , 616 Washtenaw, Ypsilanti, Michigan 48197 US, https://www.friendsofthemaster.org/donations.