Robert "Bobby" Anderson,Sr.

Robert Bobby Anderson was a loving son, protective parent, and constant friend. In the same way that he was raised, Bobby took pride in his children, was firm in discipline and always wanted to be there for them. His lifestyle was modest yet he felt rich in the love of his family. With whatever he had, Bobby lived each day to its fullest. Bobby was born at a time when the world was attempting to recover from a devastating war. Americans pulled together to make life as good as they could for their children. Such was the challenge for Albert and Christena Bell Arborgast of Chicago, Illinois who had two children: Louise and Robert, who was born on November 24, 1945. However, the two were raised by their stepfather when Milton Levi Cracker married their mother and together had a daughter, Eleanor. Bobby called his stepfather Dad because he was the only father Bobby knew and the one who cared for him in every way as a parent. Milton was a mechanic and fruit picker and Christena Bell was also a fruit picker and a nurse. They worked hard for their children and provided a secure home under her strong discipline. Because Bobbys mother believed in living life to the fullest and making the best of what they had, the family enjoyed many simple pleasures such as fishing, traveling and working on cars so they could keep on taking road trips. Bobby fished and learned to fix cars with his dad and, as a result, car mechanics and fishing became lifelong hobbies for him. As a teen, Bobby attended Spring Lake High School, but school just wasnt his thing. He felt his country needed him more, so he left school in the 9th grade and joined the Army. Unfortunately after only six months in the military, he was injured and shortly thereafter received a medical discharge. Despite his injuries, Bobby tried doing manual labor but found he was unable to work. In 1984, he underwent surgery in hopes of correcting what impaired him. Sadly, the surgery did not improve his condition, and Bobby was forced to go on permanent work disability for his entire adult life. Bobby met the challenges of life with the resolve he learned from his mother. When he married and became a father, it felt natural for him to take responsibility for their upbringing since he was home and wanted to raise them in the way he had been brought up. Bobby was first married to Emily Crow, whom he had met through his sister. They divorced and he met Rita Cooper when they both were working as fruit pickers on a cherry orchard in Manistee, Michigan. The two of them married in 1977 and Bobby became a father to three children. When they divorced in 1985, Bobby married Mary Crow, family of Rita Cooper through a previous marriage. Bobby and Mary shared a strong bond through their children, yet that marriage ended in 1997. In the ensuing years, Bobby maintained close friendships with his former wives and parented his children with love and discipline. Family was very important to Bobby, and the birth of each of his nine children brought him great joy. He wanted them to experience family togetherness so they could learn more about each other. Car rides were the perfect way for the family to have time to know each other, so he frequently drove them to Louisiana or Florida. Bobby felt driving was a great way to clear his head as well as an excellent way to make discoveries as a family. Those trips were some of the most memorable times he spent with his family. All the children remember fishing and each of them has specific memories that bring smiles to their faces. Pride remembers watch wrestling together, Milton painted cars with his dad, and Christina spent time fishing with him. Robert Jr. recalls going to festivals, sitting around talking and eating giant elephant ears smothered with cherries. Doug thinks back on those random road trips and long drives from state to state, and Lucky felt privileged to stay up late and talk into the night. Cherry enjoyed bowling with her dad and Rosie has fond memories of sledding in winter and then stopping at Wendys for chili on the way home. Also, they all remember his mixed breed dog named Saint and that he was a pet lover all his life. Robert Anderson, age 62 of Muskegon, Michigan, died on Friday, February 22, 2008. He will be missed by his family and friends who knew that his children were the greatest joy of his life. Bobbys children are: Pride, Milton, Christina, Robert, Douglas, Lucky, Rosey, Cherry Anderson and Rosey Hillsamier all from the greater Muskegon area; his grandchildren: Savannah, Taylor and Lucky II; his sister: Louise Johnson of Manistee, MI; and previous wives: Emily (Crow) Sietz , Rita (Cooper) Anderson and Mary (Cooper) Anderson all of Muskegon; and his beloved Key Amigo, a Chihuahua. He was preceded in death by son James Anderson and step-sister Eleanor Cracker. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, February 27, 2008, 11:00 AM at Clock Chapel. Interment at Egglestown Township Cemetery. Friends and relatives may meet the family on Tuesday, 2-4 & 6-8 PM and Wednesday 1 hour prior to the service at Clock Life Story Funeral Home.