Bob Green

Robert Eugene “Bob” Green, age 86 years of Niles, Michigan, husband, pet parent, uncle, Honorable Veteran, gifted salesman, and home carpenter died at 10:20 a.m. on Tuesday, July 26, 2022 at The Timbers of Cass County in Dowagiac, Michigan following an extended illness.

He was born on April 27, 1936 in South Bend, Indiana to F. Robert and Irene M. (Straub) Green, and was attended South Bend John Adams High School.  He left school early to take employment at the Ace Flooring Company of South Bend.  He enlisted in the United States Navy when he was only 17 years and 5 months old.  After taking classes in naval air technology, he was assigned to the newly modernized and recommissioned U.S.S. Ticonderoga anti-submarine aircraft carrier.  He was honorably discharged as a Veteran of the Korean Conflict.  His official DD214 might bear evidence of his interest and talents in sales, as it includes the very unique remarks: “One blanket and one pillow government property surrendered.  One blanket government property paid for.”

Bob returned to South Bend, completed his schooling, and later took some business classes to boost his talents in sales.  He was first employed at the former Niles plant of the Kawneer Corporation, and later represented the – then new – Clyde E. Williams & Associates Engineering in South Bend.  After and long and successful career there, he semi-retired to some consultant work with the Pokagon Band of the Potawatomi, and some small business development.  He also served many years on the board of directors of the Greater Niles Community Federal Credit Union (now Circle Federal Credit Union).

He really enjoyed fishing, often at Barron Lake in Niles, but also up-north at Arbutus Lake near Traverse City and usually with his regular fishing partners, his father, Robert and father-in-law, Walter Gonser.  He also enjoyed working in his basement woodshop, mostly completing projects for use around the house and decoration, including some wonderful hand-carved pieces.  The outside of the house was kept attractive with diligent lawn care, landscaping, and a certain pleasure in pulling weeds.  His greatest was those with whom he shared the house, his pet Shih Tzu, Tasha, and his wife.

He was married on April 12, 1958 to the former Janet May Gonser, in the parsonage of the former Evangelical United Brethren Church at Grant and Lincoln in Niles.  They celebrated last April the remarkable Sixty-fourth anniversary of their wedding.

He was preceded in death by his fishing buddies and their wives, Bob and Irene Green and Walt and Florence Gonser; by Bob’s siblings, Carrol Wharton and Patsy Allerton; and by one of the loves of his life, his pet Tasha.

Surviving family includes his wife, Janet Green and four nephews including Ken and Tom Balogh.

The family of Bob Green will receive relatives and friends on Sunday, July 31, 2022, from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home, 615 East Main Street in Niles.  At 4:00, the United States Navy Honor Guard will conduct the Veteran’s Flag Presentation and “Taps”.  The Graveside Ceremony will be held privately, on Monday, at Mission Hills with Pastor Jim Wing of Niles officiating.

Contributions in memory of Bob may be made to the Humane Society of Southwestern Michigan Yeager Family Pet Shelter, 5400 Niles Road, Saint Joseph, Michigan, 49085; https://humanesocietyswm.org/ .    Online condolences may be left at:

www.halbritterwickens.com

All who knew Bob were aware of his natural attributes for sales: never meeting a stranger, and a gift for gab which served him well and helped the success of his employer.  But he enjoyed slowing-down enough to sit in a boat and fish successfully, and to spend evenings alone in the shop finding the beauty in a piece of wood.  He will be sadly missed, especially by Janet.