Robert Willis Coller

Robert Willis Coller, 72.

 

Robert was born in Jackson Michigan in 1948 to Maxwell and Ruth Coller, the youngest of three, with two older sisters, Donna and Maxine (Miki). Tragically, only six months after his birth, he would lose his father to an auto accident. His exceptional mother and two sisters would step in to do their best to fill that void, their unwavering dedication, love and guidance, leading him through his youth with grace, ultimately producing a wonderfully kind, generous and inspiring young man.

 

Along that journey to manhood, Bobby, as he was known to many, would often find himself playing tirelessly in the surrounding woods, rivers and creeks near his home, taking solace in the wonder and peace that the natural world had to offer. His love of fishing, camping and everything outdoors, springing from his days of youth spent communing with nature.

 

His love of animals additionally fostered by his older sister Donna’s ever-evolving collection of animals, related to her career as a biology teacher, filling their home with fascinating and unique creatures.

 

Although his youth was anything but ordinary, it was full of love from his mother and sisters, the things that mattered most.

 

Following his graduation from Parkside High School in 1966, Bob attended Jackson Community College for two years. He then continued his education at Eastern Michigan University. It was during his time there that he met his first wife, Donna. They would soon welcome their first son, Sean.

 

Three credits short of graduation, Bob was summoned to participate in the US Army. That service would take him to Seoul, South Korea, where Donna and Sean would soon join him, and where their second son, Wesley, would be born.

 

After his time in the Army, Bob returned to E.M.U. to finish his BA in Psychology and MA in Guidance and Counseling. He’d spend the next few years gaining experience in the business world before eventually returning to his true passion, helping people, as a program manager for the Center for Occupational and Personalized Education, a non-profit agency in Ann Arbor providing alternative education programs for at risk youth. Eventually, he took on the role of Executive Director, immersing himself, offering a whole-hearted commitment to running the amazing program. More importantly, he dedicated himself, his wisdom, kindness and support to the countless kids and families whose lives the program was able to assist in a life-changing manner.

 

Meanwhile, at home, his own kids kept him equally busy. Raising two boys, he shined his brightest— Always present, involved, and available. There were countless family camping trips in the old VW bus camper van. Canoeing and hiking were regular family activities. He passed along his love of photography to both boys, he was their scout troop leader, he was their mentor, but most of all, he was their dad.

 

The things Bob had to discover on his own in his youth, he generously passed on to his boys, with the most wonderful part being that those gifts were bestowed upon them by their loving father, whose love and wisdom infused each moment and experience. Bob’s parenting was deliberate, gentle, connected and honest. He parented with his heart and mind, loving and thoughtful.

 

In 1990, life would once again take a tragic turn with the loss of his oldest son, Sean, to a motorcycle accident. The event was devastating and life-altering. Ultimately, the loss would prove more than the family could withstand and eventually Bob’s life journey would take him in a new direction as he sought to heal and rediscover himself.

 

Although forever changed and heartbroken by the loss, eventually Bob began the difficult journey of moving forward.

 

In 2006 he married his second wife, Deb. Deb’s five kids from a previous marriage, Jeremy, Justin, Joshua, Jacob and Jillian Regal, welcomed him into the family, his now expanding family providing him renewed opportunities for healing and happiness.

 

The years ahead would see further family growth and transitions. As all of the kids grew older, some moving to distant locations, while others stayed nearer to home. The years that followed filled with marriages and grandchildren.

 

Bob would eventually transition from running C.O.P.E. to working as a therapist, doing what he did best, helping people heal.

 

His love of animals never waning, he and Deb had a wonderful pack of cats and dogs that Bob loved with all his heart.

 

Throughout his life Bob was selfless, humble, kind, determined and hardworking. That is not to say he was not flawed, as like all of us, his life was complex, his journey imperfect, but even in his imperfection, he strived to help others and yearned to make the world a better place.

 

On October 13th, 2020 the world lost a wonderful man, too suddenly, without time for all of us who have so much to thank him for, so much to love him for, to share our gratitude… to say goodbye.

 

Bob, we love you.

 

Goodbye.

 

 

 

Bob was preceded in death by his father Maxwell, his mother Ruth, and his son Sean.

 

Bob is survived by his wife Deb; his sisters Donna and Miki; his son Wesley (Celeste); his step-children Jeremy (Olga), Justin (Consuela), Joshua (Tehmina), Jake (Rachel), Jill (Frank); his granddaughter Ellie; his step-grandchildren Ivana, James and Saaz; Donna, mother of Sean and Wesley.

 

As we honor Bob’s request to forgo any formal service, we instead invite you to remember and celebrate him by sharing your thoughts and memories in the guestbook.

 

For those who would like to make a donation in his memory, we are suggesting contributions be made to either:

Michigan Humane Society: https://secure2.convio.net/mihs/site/Donation2;jsessionid=00000000.app274b?idb=254375688&df_id=9320&9320.donation=form1&mfc_pref=T&NONCE_TOKEN=A082380FC5801429171F2E579A73E58E&_ga=2.221397400.1429296984.1603469264-981526403.1603469264

 

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and Awareness: https://afsp.donordrive.com