Nov. 27, 1931 — Nov. 10, 2018

Robert A. Cashbaugh, 86, of Niles, died peacefully at 11:05 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018, at The Timbers of Cass County in Dowagiac following a brief illness.

He was born on Nov. 27, 1931, in Michigan City, Indiana, to William J. and Dorothea (Martin) Cashbaugh.

He was graduated from Niles High School in 1950 where he was a member of the State Champion Cross Country team in 1949 and 1950. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in theater and communication from the Ohio University in Athens, Ohio, and continued post-graduate studies at Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan. He served in the U.S. Navy during peacetime, was honorably discharged, and continued to serve in the Michigan National Guard. He was a teacher, serving in the high schools of Berrien Springs, Watervliet, and Fremont; and was on the faculty of Southwestern Michigan College where he also served as the Theater Director.

Robert was a member of the Berrien Springs United Methodist Church, where he also taught Sunday School, served as an usher, and anonymously authored a column in the newsletter titled “Musings.” He was a member of the Friends of the Howard Branch Library, volunteered as an adult leader for the Boy Scouts of America, and volunteered in the 1st grade reading classes at Howard Ellis Elementary School. He helped with the Pioneer Days at the History Center at Courthouse Square, usually running the corn sheller. He enjoyed reading history — both non-fiction and fiction — and had a nearly complete collection of Tudor history. He also read Shakespeare, was a great fan of and expert on Charles Schultz’s “Peanuts,” and authored a few short stories which were given as Christmas gifts. When not pursuing literature, he enjoyed the outdoors, observing and interacting with the squirrels as a “squirrel whisperer”, and visiting Point Betsie near Frankfort, Michigan.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and by a brother, William E. Cashbaugh.

On Aug. 19, 1967, at the Berrien Springs United Methodist Church he married the former Prudence R. Rowe with whom he celebrated this year the remarkable 51 anniversary of their wedding.

Surviving family includes his wife Prudence “Prue” Cashbaugh and their son, Todd M. (Andrea) Cashbaugh, of Lansing, Michigan and Todd’s son, Alexander Cashbaugh; Bob’s sister, Sharon (Phil) Przybylinski, of Schererville, Indiana; nieces and nephews Amy Przybylinski, Steven (Vong) Przybylinski, David (Eileen) Cashbaugh, Rob (Lori) Cashbaugh, and Betsy Norrell; and Prue’s sister, Dorothy McDougall and her children, Rachel and Bruce.

The memorial service for Robert Cashbaugh will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 17, 2018, at the Berrien Springs United Methodist Church, 310 West Marrs Street, with Pastor William Walters of the church officiating. The family will receive relatives and friends on Saturday at the church, beginning at 10 a.m.

Contributions in memory of Robert may be made to the Berrien Springs United Methodist Church; or to Howard Branch of the Cass District Library; https://cass.lib.mi.us/howard-branch. Arrangements were made at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home, 615 East Main Street in Niles. Online condolences may be left at: halbritterwickens.com