James Richard Robards

Robards, James Richard 4/2/1933 - 12/8/2022 Waterloo James Richard Robards, 89, of Waterloo, MI, passed away on December 8, 2022 Jim, son of James Americus and Ella Mary (Kleinschmidt) Robards, was born on April 2,1933 in Ann Arbor, MI. Jim grew up in Chelsea, MI, enjoying life on Taylor Lane, working on the George Merkel farm and graduating from Chelsea High School. Jim is a veteran of the U.S. Army. Jim began his milk hauling career by picking up single milk cans from local farmers and eventually hauling milk by bulk tanker to the Wilson Dairy in Detroit. After selling his milk route, he worked as a diesel and auto mechanic. Jim had many nicknames through the years: The Milk Man, Junkyard Jim (his CB handle) and Daddy Duck (he looked out for many ducks on the Waterloo Pond). He is survived by five of his six children: Dawn, Tony, Becky, Shari and Joyce and his siblings: Roland, Marjorie and Myrna. He is also survived by eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his infant daughter, Joan, his parents, his siblings: Joyce, Kenneth (Bill), and Frank. A memorial service honoring Jim will be held in April 2023.