Mr. Robert Atkins

Robert Carson (Bob) Atkins --- born August 9, 1934 in Saginaw, MI to Carson & Vera (Runge) Atkins, passed away Sunday January 8, 2012 at Brian's House in Bay City, MI after a long illness, Bob was 77.

Bob grew up in Vassar and graduated from Vassar High School in 1952 and joined the Navy in October of 1952 completing his basic training at the San Diego, CA Naval Base. He served on the USS Pasig water tanker over in Korea and Japan for 16 months. Returned to San Diego CA and went to store keeper's school. on

Bob married Miss Betty Jo Servis on June 20, 1954 in the North Chapel on the U.S Naval Base in San Diego, CA. He was transferred to the Norfolk, VA Armed Forces Staff College in January of 1955 until his discharge in Oct. 1956, after his discharge he and Betty returned to Vassar and he then went to work with his father Carson Atkins at Atkins Hardware and Furniture Store until becoming a co-owner with his brother Fred and later owner of Atkins Floor Covering.

Bob leaves his wife Betty Jo, children: Kirk & Sue (Schnettler) Atkins, Karen Jo (Atkins) & James Gohsman, William Atkins & dear friend Dawn DeCoe, and James & Wendy (Hoeppner) Atkins. Grandchildren: Sarah (Gohsman) & Brandon Hubbard, Melissa Atkins, Kaitlyn (Gohsman) & Kyle Schiefer, Chelsea Atkins, Emily (Gohsman) & Justin Goodrow, Callie, Cabrina, Joshua, Madison, Tyler, Morgan, & MaKenna Atkins. Great grandson Noah Goodrow. Sisters-in-laws & brothers-in-laws: Jean & David Hill, Ann & Jerry Cobb, Niece Diane (Atkins) Ford, Nephews: C. Daniel, Atkins, David & Theresa Atkins, Mark & Desi Atkins, as well as other extended family, nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews. Bob was preceded in death by his parents, brother A. Fred Atkins, grandparents, and sister in-law Pat LeMaster.

Bob was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Vassar, a Boy Scout, played sports in high school, former member of the Vassar Lions Club, co-sponsored the Atkins bowling league for many years and played on Vassar softball league. Bob was on the original board of the Vassar Golf & Country Club, spent lots of time helping finish the first phase of the club house. Bob enjoyed golfing, boating, fishing, hunting small game, and playing cards. He is a past president of the Vassar DDA, and the Retail Division of the Vassar Chamber of Commerce, helping organizing many activities and auctions, and served as the Treasurer of the Vassar Downtown Coffee Gang since 1979. Bob was a member of the American Legion, former member of the Vassar F.O.E Club, and served on the Huron Area Boy Scout Board, served on many committees' for his class reunions since his graduation. Bob and Betty started the "Hobo Dinner" (cooking in garbage cans) at Bay Park and it has become an annual event. Bob loved his home in Bay Park, spending time with his children and grandchildren. He was always trying to get them to enjoy fishing, boating, gardening, and feeding his birds and wildlife as much as he did. Bob had to show all of his grandchildren how to can tomato juice, pickles, relish, and applesauce.

You're welcome to leave personal condolences, share a memory, or light a memory candle by opening the Memory Wall tab. For services information open the Service Info tab.

HANLIN FUNERAL HOME
A Family serving Families
for 84 years.

The family has honored Bob's request and cremation has taken place. A celebration of his life was held Saturday January 14, 2012 at the First Presbyterian Church in Vassar. Memorial gifts of remembrance in Bob's memory can be given to the First Presbyterian Church of Vassar or to Brian's House of Bay City. You're welcome to leave personal condolences, share memories, or light a memory candle by opening the Memory Wall tab, for an obituary open the Obituary tab.

HANLIN FUNERAL HOME
A Family serving Families
for 84 years.