Nov. 14, 1925 — Aug. 10, 2015

Robert Eugene “Gene” to close friends and family, “Bob” to most, 89, of Niles passed away peacefully Aug. 10, 2015. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ida of Niles and long time companion Jenny Heckaman of Bourbon, Indiana.

Survivors include two sons, Robert Dean (Cheryl) of Jackson, Georgia and John Daniel (Barbara) of Canton Michigan, and a daughter Sharon Lorraine Gomez of Locust Grove, Georgia; eight grandchildren: Sabrina, Kelli, Desirree, Maxwell, Jackson, Mitchell, Jose, and Arriana and five great-grandchildren. He is also survived by two brothers, Carl of San Diego, California Harold (Sharon) of Aptos, Califronia and one sister Doris of Indianapolis, Indiana.

He was preceded in death by another sister, Blanche Miller of Wauseon, Ohio.

A 65-year resident of Niles, Bob could be seen daily walking the river walk or strolling downtown. Bob was born Nov. 14, 1925, in Sullivan, Illinois to John S. and Floyd T. and was raised in Edwardsburg, Michigan.

He loved to tell the story about the log cabin with the dirt floor. He was a child of the depression, forced to drop out of school, working as a farm hand in the area to help support the family. Bob was a proud World War II veteran enlisting with the U.S. Navy in 1944. He became a Radio-Gunner and part of an aircrew on a PBY Catalina where he flew many missions guarding the Pacific Coast. He earned a rank a A.R.M 3C before being discharged after VJ Day and the war’s end. Robert returned to Edwardsburg and continued his education and graduated High School in 1949. He toyed with becoming an auto repairman before beginning work in construction and eventually became specialized as a concrete finisher (cement mason) and continued that line of work for more than 50 years.

He worked on many major projects in the area but was most proud that he helped build the “Mighty Mac” Mackinac Bridge. He held numerous “boss” positions with various contractors in South Bend and the Michiana area but spent most of his career with Sollitt and H.G. Christman.

Bob was a long time member, past president, and held numerous other office positions with Local No. 101 Operative Plasterers’ and Cement Masons’ International Association. He held a Gold Card with the union at the time of his retirement in 1988. Although retired, he continued to do odd jobs for many more years especially around the Niles area.

Bob was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Niles, a life member of the American Legion (Post 26 of Niles), and a member of the Moose Lodge (#978 of Niles). However, his most beloved association and the one that he took the most pride in was that of Freemasonry. Bob was a member of the St Joe Valley Lodge #4 F. & A.M. (Masonic Lodge) and the York Rite Bodies of the same. He was past grand master (twice) and held many other positions and had just earned his 60-year pin at the time of his death. Bob was also a member of the Grand Rapids Saladin Shrine Temple and the Niles Shrine Club. He was a part of the volunteer team driving many children in need from SW MI to the Chicago Shriner’s Hospital for care.

Very active with the Masonic Lodge and the Shrine until the very end, many will remember Bob from the annual “onion sale,” the corn roast at FOP, being active with the various parades in the area, ringing the bell for the Salvation Army every Christmas and many other volunteer activities throughout Niles.

His hobbies included hunting and fishing and he loved to dance, both ballroom and square-dance. Bob was cremated and a Memorial is to be scheduled in the fall and will be hosted by the Niles Masonic Lodge.