Robert Hand

Robert Frank Hand, age 77 years of Niles, Michigan died peacefully at 9:05 p.m. on Monday, June 27, 2016 surrounded by his family at his home following a brief illness.

He was born on February 1, 1939 in Port Huron, Michigan to Harold and Merle (Fraser) Hand. He was graduated from Port Huron High School, earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor), a Master’s Degree in Business Management from the former Nazareth College (Kalamazoo, Michigan), and continued his education at the University of Notre Dame (Indiana). He has lived in this area since 1973, and was employed for 25 years in the testing lab at the Buchanan, Michigan plant of Clark Equipment Corporation, retiring as the manager of the lab. He also owned and operated Redbud Technology, consulting with other corporations, specializing in noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH).

Bob was a member of the Huntly Memorial Baptist Church in Niles since 1974 where he had been active in the former bus ministry and “Good News/Bad News” Clowns. He was a member of the Society of Automotive Engineers – now SAE, International – and was often called to give clinics at SAE meetings and conventions. He was a licensed amateur radio operator with the call sign W8WQS, and was Past President of the Michiana Amateur Radio Club; enjoyed playing gospel music on his guitar, and often wintered with his wife in Bushnell, Florida. His greatest joy was his family.

On July 23, 1960 in Port Huron he married the former Sharon D. Lester with whom he celebrated last year the remarkable Fifty-fifth anniversary of their wedding.

Surviving family includes his wife, Sharon Hand and their daughters, Kelly (& Courtney “Court”) Rowe of Phoenix, Arizona and Jody Hand of Lake Orion, Michigan; and grandchildren Christian (& Kaitlyn) Rowe and Katlyn (& Trey) Brasel.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold Hand and Merle (& Roland) Osgood.

The family of Bob Hand will receive relatives and friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 29, 2016 at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles. The funeral for Bob will be at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 2, 2016 at the Pollock-Randall Funeral Home in Port Huron with the Rev. John H. Arnold of Port Huron officiating. Committal services will follow at the Kinney Cemetery in Port Huron.

Contributions in memory of Bob Hand may be made to the Huntly Memorial Baptist Church.