Robert Weber

Robert G. Weber was a loving and kindhearted man, who throughout his life strove to be the best father, husband and friend possible. He was a meticulous perfectionist with a strong devotion to the principles of both hard work and strong sense of family. Robert loved his family dearly and wanted only the best for them.

In 1921, the nation buried the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery and suffered the most violent race riot in Tulsa, Oklahoma. But, it was also a carefree time, as the first Miss America was chosen that year and women swooned over Rudolph Valentino in the movie “The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.” For John Weber and his wife, Marion, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, their lives centered around raising a family and earning a living. John was the Fire Chief of their town while Marion stayed home preparing for the birth of their first child. Son Robert George made his arrival on January 22, 1921, much to the delight of his parents.

The oldest of three boys, Robert enjoyed a pretty normal and easygoing childhood for the times, going to school and playing with his younger brothers, John Jr. and Weston. Growing up, he fostered a very close relationship with his mother, perhaps because his father was working a lot. Sadly, Marion died at a fairly young age - she was only in her 50s. Robert attended Harrison Park Elementary School and Union High School, where he participated in the ROTC program. During the summer, he would spend time out on his grandmother’s farm in Sparta, working in the fields, which gave him a great appreciation for hard work. While in high school, Robert also worked at Heyboer’s Drug Store as a stock boy and soda jerk, serving sundaes and sodas. Like most boys, he loved tinkering with cars and was very mechanically inclined. Most often, he manufactured his own parts in order to fix something at a reasonable price.

After graduating high school in 1939, Robert moved to the nation’s capital of Washington, D.C., where he worked in the FBI’s Fingerprint Identification Lab. He was extremely proud of the honorary letter he received from J. Edgar Hoover, which was displayed in his basement. A few years later, Robert, like many other young men of the time, enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving his country during World War II. He was first stationed at Fort Raleigh in Kansas, working with the tank division, but then transferred to Fort Ritchie in Maryland, where he worked as a motorcycle MP.

One fateful night in 1943, Robert was asked to go on a double date with his buddy – kind of like a tag-along. At the time, Robert was engaged to be married and so was Pauline “Polly”, the girl he was to go out with, so he really didn’t see any harm in going along. However, fate had other plans for them and after six months, they fell in love and were happily married on February 17, 1944. For their honeymoon, the newlyweds went to Grand Rapids so Robert’s parents could meet his new bride. After Robert’s honorable discharge from the military, the couple moved to Grand Rapids, where they enjoyed going to dinner and dancing or taking in a quiet movie together. With 61 wonderful years of marriage, Robert often said the key to its success was trust and respect for one another. Once settled, the couple filled their home with the love and laughter of two precious daughters, Karen born in 1949, and Andrea in 1952. Heartbreakingly, they lost their oldest daughter Karen in 1997.

During this time, Robert supported his family by working for Consumers Energy as a sales consultant, selling units of gas and electric heat. He remained here until his retirement in 1983. In addition, he was also involved in several business clubs. Though Robert worked hard to provide for his family, there was nothing more important to him than his daughters. He was always very protective of his girls and would do anything for them. His daughter Andrea fondly remembers when she and her sister were little girls how they would wait by the window, watching for their father to come home from work. Once they spotted him coming down the driveway, they dashed out of the house to jump in the car and ride the rest of the way to the garage. These special memories will forever be treasures of the heart.

One of Robert’s most defining traits was his “perfectionist” disposition. Throughout his life, he would say, “No matter how long it took to do something, you did it right” and he firmly committed himself to doing the best job he could with whatever task was at hand. Before making any major purchases, Robert would thoroughly research the product and then purchase the best he could afford. In his leisure time, he enjoyed doing some remodeling around the house or “putzing” in his workshop. The family also had a cabin on Thornapple River, which was Robert’s favorite place to relax. While there, he loved to work on the building and property, but was especially thrilled when the grandchildren were around. He fondly remembered how they would ride around on his tractor while he mowed or helped him clear trees on the property. It was the simple things in life that gave Robert pleasure. He enjoyed listening to Big Band music, such as Lawrence Welk, Tommy Dorsey, Guy Lombardo and Benny Goodman, and liked watching historical and war movies. He wasn’t a finicky eater either – he would eat anything you put in front of him, though he might tell you not to make it again. Some of his favorite meals included liver and onions, lobster and Bill Knapp’s bean soup.

Robert’s hard work provided him with a full and happy life. He always tried to share his happiness with the people he loved most – his wife, his daughters, his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Robert placed his family at the center of his life, and in their company you would always find a proud smile on his face. He will be deeply missed.

Robert G. Weber, age 84, passed away on Friday, May 20, 2005. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Karen A. Eastman; parents, John & Marion Weber; brother, John Weber Jr.; and great-granddaughter, Kenzie Jo Young. Robert is survived by his wife, Pauline (Polly); daughter, Andrea (Stanley) Brown; grandchildren, Timothy (Jill) Eastman, Kimberly (Travis) Young, Mende Brown, Jeffrey (Daphne) Eastman, and Heather Brown; seven great-grandchildren; and brother, Weston (Darlene) Weber.

A Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday, May 24 at 11 a.m. at the Heritage Life Story Funeral Home – Van’t Hof Chapel, 851 Leonard Street NW, Grand Rapids, Michigan. Friends and relatives may meet his family at the funeral home on Sunday, May 22, from 7-9 p.m. and on Monday, May 23, from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. Interment in Rosedale Memorial Park. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you may leave a memory, order flowers or make a memorial contribution to Heartland Home Hospice.