Robert J. Long

Robert Long led a life saturated with honesty, integrity and respect. Yet, he was also a man who took every opportunity to enjoy life to its fullest. Whatever Robert did, he did it with zest and joy, and his adventurous, vivacious personality consistently mesmerized those around him. Robert always held himself up to a high standard, and because of his zestful pursuance of life, he reaped the rewards of great friends and a family that loved him dearly. Each generation has unique milestones and events that have helped shape future generations. The 1920s were without exception. In 1927, the advent of flight took a giant step when Charles Lindbergh made the first trans-Atlantic solo flight nonstop from New York to Paris. The entertainment world entered a new phase with the first talkie motion picture starring Al Jolson. On August 13, 1927, in Highland Park, Michigan, Robert John Long was born, an event that would shape the future generations of his family. Robert grew up in a loving family in the company of his parents, Robert and Anna (Hammacher) Long, his older sister, June, and younger brother, Harry. His father earned a living in the enameling trade, while his mother tended to the needs of the family at home. In 1938, the family moved from the Highland Park area to North Muskegon, where his father started his own enameling business called the American Porcelain Enamel Co. Young Robert received his early education in various schools until he entered high school. Then, in 1943, he transferred to the prominent St. Johns Military Academy in Delafield, Wisconsin, and graduated here in 1945. It was while at the Academy that Robert first fell head over heels for a beautiful young lady named Ruth Annetta Davis from North Muskegon. She flew up to the school for the mid winter hop, which was a formal dance put on by the Academy. Robert said it was love at first sight and it wasnt long before the two were hopelessly in love. For a year of their courtship, the young sweethearts stayed connected through many love letters since Robert was away, serving 13 months in the U.S. Army. Upon his military discharge, he returned home to North Muskegon and went to work in his fathers company, which was the only job he would ever hold in his life. With a good job under his belt, Robert married his sweetheart Ruth in the Central Reformed Church in Muskegon on May 15, 1948. After saying I do, the newlyweds went on a honeymoon/business trip to Gatlinburg, Tennessee in their brand new 1948 blue Chrysler convertible. Robert and Ruth settled into married life together in an apartment on Marquette Avenue for a few years before buying a house at 1709 Ruddiman Drive in 1951, where they live to this day. It was here the couple happily raised their three wonderful children together: Janet (1948), Robert (1951) and Gayle (1955). Robert was incredibly devoted to his family, and he could always be counted on to help solve a problem or one to seek advice from he was a very wise man. Robert believed that experiences in ones life helped shaped who they are, and he wanted this for his children. So, in 1963, the Longs became involved with the cultural family exchange with the Maqueo family in Mexico City. Every summer Roberts children would spend the summer with the Maqueo family and their children would come to Michigan. This formed close-ties and a lifelong friendship between the two families. Besides being a devoted husband and father, Robert was a hard worker in his fathers company, American Porcelain. He went on to have a distinguished career as President of the company and became a very well respected businessman in this industry; he was called Mr. Porcelain Enamel. Robert ran the company along with his brother, Harry, until they sold the business in 2005. Throughout his career, Robert was a member of the International Enamellers Institute, where he was a past president and received the Lifetime Achievement Award in 1997. Robert was also a valued member of his community as a past member of the Muskegon Country Club, and a 70-year member of the Community United Methodist Church of North Muskegon. He and Ruth were also the founders of the Lakeshore Tasters Guild in 1989. But Roberts life was so much fuller than just his career. He was a man of many passions, many hobbies and many loves. Together, he and Ruth shared a rich life, one that was both adventurous and rooted, outgoing and contented, fun loving and considerate. Robert was the kind of man who made friends wherever he went, and being a world traveler meant he had friends all over the world. He and Ruth were always active in something, whether it was with their family, friends or in church, or pursing one of their many hobbies, like cooking, biking, hiking, sailing, running, water skiing or scuba diving. At one time, Robert raised and competitively raced pigeons with his son, Robert, and was also a wine judge and connoisseur. After retiring, Robert and Ruth became snowbirds and flew south to Mexico for the winter. Robert was a Type 1 Diabetic for 41 years, but his meticulous recordkeeping and monitoring of his health contributed to his living an unusually long life with someone with his disease. But those that knew him best knew Roberts truest love was people. He knew how to connect with people from all walks of life and was a great conversationalist. He was a people person in the truest sense of the word. It was a part of his charm, a charm that was so magnetic, you couldnt help but be pulled willingly into Roberts circle of life. Robert was a man of many stories, many talents and many loves. He was a veteran, a businessman, and an outdoorsman. He was also a devoted family man and beloved husband. But to everyone who ever knew him, Robert was something more a friend. It was said that Robert answered the bell whenever duty called. He was bigger than life and will be deeply missed and remembered forever. Robert John Long died on Tuesday, November 24, 2009, surrounded by his loving family. He is survived by his beloved wife, Ruth; his children: Janet (Elbert) Moody, Robert Long III (Thomas Carlson), Valeria Long, Mayra Maqueo Mandler, Raul Maqueo; grandchildren: Robert (Rebekah Winters) Long, Erin Moody, Margaret Long; sister, June Fisher; sister-in-law; Noel Long; and many nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death was his daughter, Gayle, and brother, Harry Long. Services for Robert will be on Friday, December 4, at 1 p.m. at Community United Methodist Church with Rev. Robert Lynch & Rev. David Yoh officiating. Visitation will be on Thursday, December 3, from 5-8 p.m. at Clock Life Story Funeral Home - Muskegon. Memorial contributions may be made to the Diabetes Institutes Foundation, supporting the Strelitz Diabetes Institutes.