Robert Earl Budzynski "Bob"

BUDZYNSKI, Robert "Bob" Earl - Of Grand Blanc Township, age 86, died Thursday, October 21, 2021 at Ascension Genesys Hospital.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10am Wednesday, October 27, 2021 at Holy Family Catholic Church, 11804 S. Saginaw St., Grand Blanc, MI 48439.

Father Leronio Vodivodi officiating.

Burial in Perry McFarlen Cemetery.

Contributions may be made to a charity of one’s choice.

Visitation 6-8pm Tuesday at the Swartz Funeral Home, 1225 West Hill Road, Flint. Visitation 9am Wednesday at church until the time of the Mass.

Robert was born in Hamtramck, Michigan on July 13, 1935, the son of the late John and Evelyn Budzynski. On August 13, 1994, he married Beverly Ann Page.

An amazing gentleman, Bob was a champion in music, bowling, golf and dance.

Bob learned to play the accordion and won a music scholarship to the University of Houston where he received a Masters in music and business.

During college he taught at Fred Astaire dance studios and won a prize for enrolling the most new students. He was given a new car and the dance studio in Flint Michigan.

After having a very successful career as dance teacher, Bob opened a music store and offered lessons. His students were placed in orchestra seats and tuning. 60 students went to New York to play for the United Nations. They were so impressed that they were invited to go to Europe on a goodwill tour. Unfortunately the revolution in Hungary canceled the tour.

When Bob met Beverly, they formed a dance partnership, and began to compete and teach at Grand Blanc Community Education. They won many trophies including the American Swing Dance Championship. They were inducted into the Walk of Legends, and into Living Legends.

Bob wanted to introduce West Coast swing to Michigan dancers and in 1992 he hosted the first Michigan swing dance championship. It later became the Michigan Classics.

Bob and Beverly published a magazine called Jitterbug, and appeared on Club Dance TV, doing two spotlight dances. They won two Feather awards for being the best swing dance couple over 50 in the world.

Bob competed in Danceport in the Michigan Senior Olympics and worked for several years raising funds for a local charity called Grand Blanc Dancing With The Stars.

Bob had a great love for people and he took many golfers to Myrtle Beach for 57 straight years and many dance events.

Surviving are wife, Beverly;

children, James Robert (Marilyn), Robert Earl (Elyce),Paul Page (Rebecca) Bertrand;

grandchildren, John Joseph (Molly), Michael Wayne, Rebecca (Chase Cox), Nicholas James, Hannah Elizabeth, Lilly Ann Rose Tennant, Isabelle Rose Bertrand and Daniel Alexander Bertrand;

great-grandchild, Kipton Riley Budzynski.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Milton.