Robert D. Reames

Robert Reames was a meticulous, hard working, fun loving man who dearly loved his wife, children and friends. He grew up surrounded by his extended family and having them around his own family was a joy that stayed with him his entire life. Being sociable, Robert made friends easily and valued their kindness and encouragement. For everyone around him, Robert was an inspiration because of his honesty, courage and love of life. Robert was one of six children born to Duane and MaryAnn (Suchecki) Reames on December 12, 1955 at North Ottawa Community Hospital in Spring Lake, Michigan. It was a significant year in U.S. history with the Supreme Court decision to desegregate schools, Rosa Parks refusal to give up her seat on the bus, and the rising prominence of Martin Luther King, Jr. The civil rights movement became a dramatic force in America, jobs were plentiful in a lively economy, and growing families launched the baby boom era. Roberts father worked at Tri- City Tool and Die and his mother remained at home to care for Steve, Jim, Bob, Cindy, Gary and Greg. With Grandpa and Grandma Suchecki living next door and a neighborhood full of cousins to play with, the children lived an idyllic childhood. However, a weightiness fell on the family when 8-year old Bobby developed diabetes. It signaled the beginning of a lifetime of frequent doctor visits and numerous hospital stays, but it didnt seem to keep Bobby down. He played baseball, built model cars and joined the Boy Scouts, eventually attaining the rank of Eagle Scout at age 18. When the family moved to a home on Spring Lake in Fruitport when he was 12 years old, Bobby took full advantage of the water: swimming, boating, water skiing, and snowmobiling in winter. The family went on boat trips up the Grand River with the Suchecki clan, and for several years, the three oldest Reames boys got to go with their dad to Iowa for pheasant hunting. Added to all these activities was Bobbys passion for cars and speed, which just seemed to match his enthusiasm for life. Bobby was always an outgoing boy and made many friends during his school years. He attended Nunica Elementery School before graduating from Fruitport High School in 1974. While going to high school, Bobby worked for Punches Food Store (1972-73) and swept floors at his dads tool and die shop. He liked to tinker with cars and always kept his own spotlessly clean. Often times, Bobby could be found shooting pool with friends at Ye Olde. In fact, it was his cousin, Dan Suchecki and friend Maryann Poel, who set him up with their friend, Cindy, and introduced Bobby to his future. Bobby and Cindy went bowling on a blind date in 1976, and their friendship took off from there. They dated for over three years and, in that time, shared the tragic loss of Bobbys brother Jim in a motorcycle accident. Their relationship had been forged in sorrow as well as joy when they married on May 26, 1979. The happy couple honeymooned in Freesoil, Michigan before beginning their life together in a rented place in Spring Lake. Bobby followed in his fathers footsteps as a tool and die maker for S.O.S. Engineering and then Bennett Pump for ten years. He was a good provider for his family that began with the birth of his daughter Rebecca in 1981 and son Kevin in 1983. The children might have had to compete for space with their fathers animals. Over the years, pets Jay Jay, Fletcher, Nora and Quinn provided lots of entertainment for the family. Bobby was an attentive father, but throughout his kids high school years at Grand Haven High, Bobby was doing battle with his illness. He had many surgeries, none more important than a kidney transplant in 1994. His brother Gary donated the kidney that saved Bobbys life. Then in 1995, his beloved father passed away, and nine years later he lost his dear mother. In time, Bobbys own struggles forced him to stop working. Yet the home that he and Cindy built on Lincoln Street in 1997 provided great solace and a wonderful place to be surrounded by his family. Amid many hospital stays, Bobbys health steadily declined. He was at home under hospice care for a week and a half when he died on Thursday, March 6, 2008. With brown eyes and slender build, Bobby was a spark of joy and inspiration to his family and friends. Mr. Robert D. Reames, age 52 of Grand Haven, was a member St. Mary's Catholic Church in Spring Lake and a lifetime fan of the University of Michigan. He is very much loved and sadly missed by his wife, Cindy; 1 son, Kevin Reames of Grand Haven; 1 daughter, Rebecca Reames of Grand Haven; 3 brothers, Steve (Cheryl) Reames of Muskegon, Gary (Maureen) Reames of Fruitport and Greg (Teresa) Reames of Fruitport; 1 sister, Cindy (Ron) Pieczynski of Fruitport; mother-in-law, Marvel Frein of Grand Haven; several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Duane and Mary Ann Reames and a brother, Jimmy. A service to celebrate Bobbys life will be held Monday, March 10, 2008, 11:00 AM at St. Mary's Catholic Church Spring Lake with Fr. Leonard Sudlik officiating. Interment at Fruitport Cemetery. Friends and relatives are invited to meet with the family on Sunday, 2-4 and 6-8 PM at Clock Life Story Funeral Home Grand Haven. Memorial gifts may be made to: Robert D. Reames Memorial Fund. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to leave a memory of Bobby, archive a photo or sign the guestbook.