Robert-VanderMolen-Obituary

Robert VanderMolen

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Apr 23, 1947 – Dec 9, 2025

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BORN
April 23, 1947
DIED
December 9, 2025
LOCATION
Grand Rapids, Michigan

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Robert Lavern VanderMolen, 78, of Grand Rapids, died December 9, 2025. Bob was among Michigan's foremost poets, with a distinctive narrative voice that found an international audience.A house painter by trade, he was born in Grand Rapids on April 23, 1947, son of Marjorie (Moll) and Robert L....

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We were so sad to hear of Bob´s passing. Please accept our profound condolences. We were one of the dive bars that he frequented at the Cottage Bar on Thursdays and honored his request to make hats that we still own to this day from the Cottage Bar. I´m sure he still has his. Please let us know of the services in April.

I knew Bob and his family at Ninth Reformed church on Deloney Street back in the day. and then Union High, he had awesome parents . Bob was a nice guy and by the way, quite handsome. My Condolences to the VanderMolen family.

Thank you for sharing. The cabin story was very interesting.

Bob will be missed....what an amazing man! Sending continuing love and cherished memories to his family.

I don´t remember how we came to hire Bob to paint our back deck, but we did. He was a very contemplative painter, a good one, too. When I learned he was a poet, I sought out his works, which I enjoyed.