Robert A. Ovenhouse

Robert Ovenhouse, a true “Renaissance Man”, a servant to ALL, at a time when our leadership was self-serving. Bob had the rare combination of “brains and brawn”. He could grow a beautiful vegetable garden, discuss politics at any level, recite poetry, or the latest best-selling book, take care of his dogs and cats with a gentle hand. Bob could also outwork any and all tradesman on any jobsite, big or small. Whether he was the Superintendant of a company or not, NO job was beneath him, and he did all tasks with pride and proficiency, setting the example for others to follow. He was a man of few words, and not a great orator-BUT he spoke ever so loud and clear by his everyday actions with others, and his graciousness towards shouldering his responsibilities. Thank you Bob, you were a great mentor and a Man for All Times…….

We will miss him as yet another of our generation gone. Bob was of the ‘older’ generation of Ovenhouse kids that we knew more as ‘aunts and uncles’. I remember (and may still have tucked away somewhere) a tape of your wedding ceremony, which my dad performed.

It was my honor to have Bob as my client. I will remember Bob as kind, soft spoken, and he was very quick to give people, myself included, praise. Bob was one of my first clients and his loyalty and kind words meant the world to me.

Uncle Bob was the personification of the consummate “Michigander”: a true outdoorsman, succinct with impeccable common sense, an accomplished bow hunter (if memory serves, especially for deer with only three legs), and inherently industrious, imaginative, honest & forthright. He was dedicated to his family (both immediate and extended) and was always ready to perform some kindness or lend a hand to accomplish any task, big or small, most skillfully. Bob was a fine student-athlete and a fierce competitor, providing an outstanding example to emulate—he successfully transformed his education into expertise in his chosen profession and wisdom in his every endeavor. Bob was a towering figure to his many young nephews throughout the 1950s and early ‘60s: when Bob approached, the house seemed to tremble (whether it was through the front door or ascending the backdoor steps to the kitchen at the E. Frederick homestead). Bob did not have to say a word for his presence to fill the room. Uncle Bob’s softball pitching at Betty & Wendell’s summer outings was always carefully calibrated to fairly challenge each batter (male or female, child or adult) to succeed at the plate and truly rejoice when you would “miraculously” get a hit. Uncle Bob was always prepared for the inevitable post-game “sneak attack” by the nephews trying to tackle him and pile on, with the customary result of nephews (and an occasional uncle) being effortlessly tossed about and distributed around the ground (without any adverse consequences—except to our collective egos). Starting with Bob’s trip to visit us in New York, I was fortunate enough to begin a series of more substantive conversations with Bob over the years that afforded me a greater appreciation for his innumerable seasoned insights. Like my parents and his, Uncle Bob had an unbounded inner goodness that could not be contained, and fortunately he passed that trait on to the apple of his eye, our cousin Sheila. Bob leaves each of us a great legacy of special experiences and personal remembrances that we will cherish. I trust that he long ago qualified for admission to his heavenly reward, and no doubt has already assumed his new duty of spreading his goodness on a higher plane with his parents and his many sisters and brothers-in-law who loved and respected him. We were all blessed to have him in our lives, and lucky to be the beneficiaries of his many kindnesses and caring disposition. Let us honor Bob by building on his legacy while remembering that classic toothy grin that was a hallmark of a most beloved member of the Ovenhouse/Brady/Decker clan.

Bob, you have been such a good friend to me ever since I met you. As written by your relatives and friends above, you have been a good and loyal friend to many during your life and I have enjoyed that friendship. Your illness was a trial for you and for your family and friends, myself included. For all of us who remain on earth missing you has just begun. You will be missed on all our birthdays especially thinking of the many times we shared ice cream. Guess we know all the ice cream shops in the area and haven’t missed many of them. It will be a pleasure to remember you and think of the fine human being you have been throughout your life.

Leora

I have so many fond memories of Uncle Bob and I am grateful for the positive influence he had on my life.

You have my condolences Mrs. Ovenhouse and you also Sheila.