Robert W. Hester

1937 - 2025

Robert W. Hester, 88, of East Tawas, passed away in the early afternoon on Monday, April 28, 2025, surrounded by his family.
Bob was born in Bay City on Feb. 20, 1937 to Earl and Nettie (Bennett) Hester. He graduated from Tawas High School in 1955. In 1959 he married the love of his life, Marilyn (Holmes).
In 1961 he joined the family business, Quality Market on Newman Street, East Tawas. In 1963, they moved the store to the IGA Foodliner on US-23, East Tawas. The IGA was in business until the fall of 2000.
Bob was also a volunteer fireman with East Tawas Fire from 1966 until February, 2024. He was a very dedicated firefighter. The fire department phone was installed in the IGA and his home, along with a few other locations, ensuring the phone was always maned.
Bob loved refurbishing his 1931 Model A. It was a sad day when he decided to sell it to another Model A enthusiast. He also had several other collections, which he was always growing until the last few years. However, he couldn't resist a good deal while garage saleing with his daughter, Dawn.
He was an avid Michigan sports fan, especially the Wolverines, Tigers, and Lions. Bob was a member of Grace Lutheran Church. He was also a member of the Eagles (F.O.E. #2588).
Bob is survived by his daughter and main caregiver .Dawn (partner Reuben); son, Bob (Mary) Hester of Redford; grandchildren, Gavin and Madison Hester; two brothers, Donald (JoAnn) Hester of Tawas City, and Bill Hester of Perington; sister-in-law, Karen Holmes; and several nieces and nephews.
The family gives a special appreciation to Compassus and his hospice nurse, Jill Anthony RN, who made sure he was comfortable.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Marilyn, on July 27, 2016; his parents; sister and brother-in-law, Barbara and Norm Klenow; and nephew, Doug Klenow.
Bob's family will welcome friends for a time of visitation on Sunday from 3 to 7 p.m. at Buresh Funeral Home in Tawas City. Funeral services are scheduled for Monday, May 5, at 11 a.m. at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church in East Tawas with Reverend Max Miller officiating. His family will receive friends at the church on Monday morning from 10 a.m. until the time of the funeral service. He will be laid to rest in the Greenwood Cemetery in East Tawas.
An online guest registry is available to leave a message of love and support for Bob's family at www.bureshfuneralhomes.com.