Uncle Bob, you will always have a special place in my heart. You made everyone feel welcome. Your good nature, funny stories and jokes really made a difference in our world. You loved Kay and your family and you let them know it by your deeds and actions. I can't forget to mention the time I cut my hand in college and you took me to emergency. You were so calm and cool and the hero of the day! You will be missed very much. I know you have gone to the place where the wind and water is warm, where there's good hunting and fishing and license plates grow on trees with Mr. French there to greet you. Thanks for all the fun and laughter.     Love ya!

           The Seasonal Road

As I look back at my fondest memories of my dad they were on a seasonal road West of Buckley. There the road twists and turns where  my Grandpa has a home made "slow tree cutting sign". As we push our little boat through the ice into the open water that bordered my Grandpa's hardwoods the geese light off in front of us, as you stand and shoot. As the three Geese lay in the water motionless it starts to snow. I look at you and you are frozen in time. I think back as we sat together in your deer shack and you raise your rifle in the early morning light as I strained my eyes to see the buck running through the hardwoods, at what seemed to be a football field away. You shoot and it drops in its tracks. My pride to be your son has always been great and you were the greatest shot of all time.

All throughout my life I felt like I was in God's shirt pocket when I was with you, even if we were a valley and a couple ridges apart. You were like a God to me. 

The 1969 Red Camaro that you bought out of the show room when I was three years old. I had matching pair of red shoes. I knew then you were the richest man in Traverse City. You were my t-ball coach and watched as we won the Babe Ruth American Legion Championship. You were always there. Then comes college, grad school, four beautiful daughters and little time, but we always found some on the seasonal road.

We would pull up to the old oil well clearing in the hardwoods in the dark. I would watch as you loaded your rifle and hear you tell me "Good Luck". Then I would lean against the truck and watch as you walked through the snow up the hill into the woods with the beam from your flashlight flickering through the tree tops making ominous shadows until it went off.  Then I would walk off up the hill to the south and get in my blind. I would sit all day in my shack and never once did I feel alone since I knew you were over the ridge and on the same valley. Religiously as the sun went down, I would hear your soft footsteps in the snow, if I listened hard enough I could hear the fresh powder crunch under your boots as you came closer.  Then I would see the same light shadows now moving toward me and then down the hill into the truck as the door shuts.

I will never hear the truck start again and never see that light coming down the hill in the dark. But I will take solace and comfort knowing that you will always be over the ridge in a silent solitude that eases my soul knowing such comfort. That is how I remember you best. You were a man of few words, but had a presence and smile that will sustain me for a lifetime. Now I will wait on this earth to see your light coming off  the hill to take me home again. This is our Ethos.

I will always love you. It is an honor you died on my birthday. 

You son Tom AKA "Paco" - "I love you mom and it will be o.k."

Dear Dad, 

We will all miss you for being you!  You were truly one of a kind.  I consider myself the luckiest man in the world to have had you as my father. I had the opportunity to learn from the very best. You were top shelf and full of class and distinction.  You taught me how to be a kid, teenager, college student, police officer, and a man.  You were there every step of the way.  You taught me right from wrong, and for the most part I listened!  Your love for all your family and friends was unconditional.  Come as you are, no strings were ever attached. You were the consummate ring master coordinating and connecting us all together.  Your heart was open to all and bigger than the Great Lakes.  You had a smile that could light up a room and a laugh that was so hearty and genuine that you could cheer all of us up on our darkest day.  You once told me in one of your best motivational talks, of course after suffering a hard fought losing effort in sports, "Did you try your hardest? Did you make others better?  Did you make a difference? Were you unselfish?  Did you hold your head up high?  You should because I"m proud of you."  These words of wisdom I have shared many times with my loved ones, friends and co-workers.  Now it's my turn to say it to you- Dad, I am so proud of you and I will love you for eternity.

Love,
Jeff aka "Bug"

To Kay,  I just heard of your lose.  Bob and I grew up in Buckley.  Sorry to hear that he is gone. Prayers are with you and your family
Virginia Plank Hamilton (Gravette, AR).

I am so sad about Bob. Kay if there is anything you want please let me.
 know.I missed seeing you this year. Love you and all our fun memories.
Jo Ann ( 
Chicago il)

Bob was always a wonderful friend, funny storyteller and like a grandfather to our family. He always lit up the room with his youthful energy and contagious sweet smile. We will all miss him greatly here in Florida. Hope he's enjoying a big slice of carrot cake <3 We send you our condolences. - The Lorenzen Family

Sorry, to hear about Bob's passing. I was a classmate in high school. Bob was a very good basketball player and a good friend and will sadly missed.I wished I could have spent more time with him. our prayer's are with the family.Gerald and Vivian Schichtel

So sorry to hear about Bob's passing, very sad indeed. Such a kind and sweet man with so much love for his family and so well loved by his family. I send my love to you all.

We'll miss your visits to Florida each winter. The boys cherished your stories, and love of sports. I loved how you enjoyed my cooking.You didn't want to impose one time and asked me to make you a half a hot dog. Classic :) Rest in peace Bob, and please say hello to both my parents <3

Some of my fondest childhood memories are going to Uncle Bob and Aunt Kay's house.  My brothers and I had so much fun swimming and hanging out with Angel and Nick.  I will never forget those times.  It's said that God takes the good ones; well, heaven has certainly gained a wonderful man.
Your great-niece Tami Stadler.

hi kay,were so very sorry about bob,jim has told me many stories of their adventures many many times, and its always a new adventure, we wanted to come see you folks many times but of course we never got around to it, our thoughts abd prayers are with you, jim & pat our daughter debbie is submitting this because we dont have internet

Uncle Bob:  We will miss you every single day of our lives.  We will miss your smile, your laugh, your kindness, your love for your family and fellow man.  You were truly a great man that we were so blessed to call our uncle.  Your legacy will live on in our hearts forever.  God Bless you and keep you.  Your Loving Niece, Dolores, Terry, and Troy, Tami, Michael, and Lauren.

OBITUARY

Robert L. Rancour

August 4, 1935 – May 12, 2012

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