Robert Charles Robke, Sr.

Bob was born in Lansing, Michigan on March 7, 1949 to Robert H. and Gloria Robke. They often lovingly referred to their son as “a Jack of all trades” and “a sturdy post.” Bob attended Resurrection Grade School and graduated from Gabriels High School (now Lansing Catholic) in 1967. To this day he has many treasured friends from those years.

Bob proudly served his country in the U.S. Army from 1970 to 1972 stationed in Baumholder, Germany. After returning home, he met the love of his life, Janice on June 6, 1972. They were married on August 10, 1973 at Holy Cross Church in Lansing. Bob and Janice celebrated their 50th anniversary last summer with family and friends at a party hosted by their children.

In 1976, Bob graduated from Michigan State University. He taught 7th and 8th grade math at St. Thomas Aquinas School in East Lansing. He then worked at the Casper Corporation as a sales representative and sales manager in Lansing, Grand Rapids and Farmington Hills from 1977 until retiring in 2015. Bob was a lifelong fan of MSU and Detroit sports teams.

Bob was intensely proud of his children, Robert, Jr. (Amy), Jeffrey (Amber) and Kristen (Keith Gallagher). He was a devoted “Boppa” to eight beautiful grandchildren: Nathan, Addison, Jack, Gabe, Leighton, Finn, Benjamin and Lucas. Boppa loved playing with them, especially baseball in the backyard.

Bob is survived by his wife, Janice; his children and grandchildren; brother, Terry; sisters, Sue Johnston (Frank) and Sandy Kelley (Tom); special cousins, Bruce Barker, Barney Robke and Bill Barker, and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; grandparents, C. Douglas and Lucinda Barker, Harold and Naomi Mahar; special cousin, Gordon Robke; parents-in-law, Frank and Virginia Bozzo, and brothers-in-law, Ron Bozzo and Jim Casper, Sr.

The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St Martha Parish, 1100 W Grand River Ave, Okemos 48864 on Wednesday, February 21 at 11:00AM. A viewing will be held one hour prior to the Mass. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, February 20 at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Home, 1730 E Grand River Ave, East Lansing 48823, from 2:00PM to 4:00PM and 6:00PM to 8:00PM, with a Rosary at 7:30PM.

The Robke family is grateful to the nurses and doctors at the University of Michigan and Sparrow Hospitals who helped Bob with their dedication and compassion. In lieu of flowers, donations will support the Pancreaticobiliary Cancer Research Fund (Dr. Sahai) at the University of Michigan. Please visit the website victors.us/robertrobke to make your gift, or mail checks made payable to “University of Michigan” to 777 E. Eisenhower Pkwy., Suite 650, Ann Arbor, MI 48108. Please include "in memory of Robert C. Robke, Sr.” in the memo line of the check. You may also call 734-764-6777 to make a donation.