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Bob Avery Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Bob Avery
Sponsored by Cousin, Cheri.
Lake Michigan Sunset in Ludington
John V
August 14, 2017
Cheri Saeger
August 11, 2017
My condolences to Nancy, Laren and Alyssa. Forgive me for being so late in posting this. I had not heard of my dear cousin's death.
I always thought of my cousin as a brother for we spent summers together on my Dad's farm in Kochville and Vassar. We bailed hay and straw and played together on our Grandparent's property in Caro.
I first was a pen pal to Bob before their family moved from Okinawa, Japan. He taught me how to count in Japanese. I will miss you so much and hopefully get to hear from Nancy and your children. I hope to hear from Linda and Jack as well. I understand Aunt Mickey passed too. She was always so good to me. I have missed too much..
Love,
Cousin, Cheri
Laura Chase
May 28, 2014
Our condolences to Bob's family. I knew Bob at Saginaw Valley College in the early 70's. He was a good friend and hiked with us in the Outing Club. My husband is Dr. Chase and he was our faculty advisor for the hiking club at the time. We are both saddened by Bob's passing and shared an evening of memories about our time with him! We have had a picture of the two of us that Bob took on a back-packing trip to Canada in 1975, on the wall for years. Again our thoughts are with your family. Laura (Armstrong) and Wallace Chase.
Karen Williams
November 20, 2013
My thoughts and prayers are with Bob's family and friends. I met Bob years ago at the DEQ. He was not only a great guy, but had a brilliant mind and magnetic personality. Bob had deep compassion for people and the environment. He will be very much missed! It was a privilege to know him.
David Stephens
November 14, 2013
So sorry to hear of Bob's passing. My condolences to the family. He helped train me as I began my career as a forensic scientist at the Bridgeport Lab, and he was extremely competent and personable while still being modest, a very rare combination, a great mentor. He was also a friend and simply a pleasure to be around. A great chief. Inquisitive. Always light of heart. I will miss him.
Elizabeth Andresen
November 7, 2013
Nancy, Laren and Alyssa,
So many fine memories of time with the Avery family back in the Bay City and Saginaw days. Bob was an amazing man! Our heartfelt thoughts to youall!
Elizabeth & Sheila
November 4, 2013
So sorry to hear of Bob's passing. I did not know Bob personally but know one of the family members. He sounds like an amazing person you want in your life. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends as they find peace with his passing.
Greg Eagle
October 29, 2013
I was shocked to hear of Bob's passing. I worked with Bob while employed in criminal investigations. Bob was one of the nicest men I've known and was always there to help and teach. Please accept my condolence and know that I lift Bob up in prayer.
Lynn Derck
October 27, 2013
Nancy, my condolences and thoughts are with you and your family at this time. Bob had such rich and varied interests and career paths, a true model for living life fully.
Michelle
October 21, 2013
I didn't know Bob personally, but it sounds like he led an amazingly remarkable life! I am humbled and inspired by his great contributions to this world. My condolences to his family.
October 18, 2013
My heart goes to you and your family in this time of pain and sorrow. I had the pleasure of knowing and working with Bob for years at the DEQ Lab until his retiring in 2010. He was a great leader and speaker. We will miss his presence at the lab's yearly summer, Thanksgiving/Christmas potluck functions.
- Dora Johnson, Lansing MI
Vence Woods
October 16, 2013
To the Avery family. I am sorry for your loss. I was able to work with Bob on several occassions and it was gift to have met him.
Lt.Vence Woods Environmental Investigation Section
Susan Revelt
October 15, 2013
My earliest memory of Nancy and Bob together was when they were just finishing high school and I was about 8 years old. Bob was driving, Nancy was in the passenger seat and Cheri and I were sitting in the backseat. Cheri and I were playing a silly game where we tried to hold our breath while going past buildings and other places. We were going past a long park and Bob decided to start driving really slowly. At first I was trying so hard to hold my breath and then I realized you guys were playing a joke on us. It struck me as so very funny I could not stop laughing. We all started laughing so hard we couldn't breathe. That memory has stayed with me through the years because your joy and happiness were so contagious and I am so grateful that I got to be included then and many, many times afterwards.
David Bicigo
October 15, 2013
Nancy, Laren and Alyssa,
I am very sorry to here of your loss. Bob was a wonderful person and a wonderful mentor to me. I know he will be dearly missed. May you be comforted in this time of mourning and may God Bless you and your family.
Julie Howenstine
October 15, 2013
My heart goes out to Bob's family in this time of pain and loss. I will hold you in my prayers. Bob mentored me during his time with the Michigan State Police and was one of the finest men I have ever known. He will be missed by many.
John Phillips
October 15, 2013
I was honored to know and work with Bob for the last 15 years. We served together on several State and Federal advisory boards. I hold the highest respect for Bob as both a person and a professional.
Rod Wolfarth
October 15, 2013
Bob and I worked together for many years with the State Police. I was truly saddened to hear of his passing. We shared many a good times together. He was a great person and will be missed.
Lois Graham
October 15, 2013
To Bob's family: He was a great leader and respected by staff at the DEQ. I always enjoyed working with Bob and am sad to hear of his passing. My thoughts and prayers for comfort go to the Avery family.
Marie Bard-Curtis
October 15, 2013
I worked with Bob for many years at the State Police Forensic Lab and found him to be a very knowledgeable, caring and sharing person. His laughter and contributions to the science will be missed. I will keep his family in my prayers and thoughts in the difficult days to come.
MSP Lansing Forensic Laboratory
Fall of '10 Lake MI fishing trip taken by Bob
John Vanderhoof
October 15, 2013
Bob was a great friend and former boss at the MDEQ. We fished together a couple times on small lakes in his boat; eventually we enjoyed several Salmon fishing adventures on Lake Michigan. (He always brought along his Diet Coke). He loved to bring his daughter; she also loves the out-of-doors. My screen saver for the last several years has been one of his photos. There are no fish in the photo. Thank you Nancy for sharing Bob! I will miss his companionship.
Allecia Lamb
October 15, 2013
I had the honor and privilege of working as Bob's secretary for the years I was with DEQ. Words cannot express the light he shared with everyone blessed to know him. May his family be comforted by the loving thoughts and prayers of all who feel their loss.
George Krisztian
October 15, 2013
I was very fortunate to have Bob not only as a boss but as a friend as well. I learned a great deal from him about how state government works as well as many non-work related things such as wood working and life in general. Bob's attitude had a very positive effect on everyone he encountered. He had that rare ability to make people feel special.
I have many memories of Bob, from playing cards at lunch to fishing trips to outings at the gun range to hiking in the Utah Desert. He even helped me install a kitchen floor once. No matter where he was people just seemed very comfortable around him.
Bob did an outstanding job running the DEQ Lab and was one of the main reasons that the Lab has such a good reputation. He was able to convey technical issues very well to the lay person and was able to effectively express the needs of the Lab to the administration to ensure the continued operation of the Lab.
I know that I am not alone when I say that I will miss Bob more than I can possibly express. My life is far better for having known him.
My thoughts and prayers are with Bob and his family.
Joe DeFors
October 14, 2013
I first met Bob through Nancy while we served on the Board of the DeWitt Library together. Shortly thereafter they became our neighbors and friends.
Such things are random and you always hold your breath about who will be moving next door. But in this case it just couldn't have worked out better. In time we found we shared many interests: nature, woodworking, tomatoes (he planted, I provided the plot and helped eat them), photography, wine and beer.
My wife Jan and I have so many fond memories with Bob at the center. A summer evening of wine sampling and laughter on his deck. Bob at our front door with a plate of his sushi. The happy sounds of Laren and Bob brewing a new batch of beer in their driveway. Trading shared dinners together at each other's households.
You just couldn't have asked for a finer neighbor or friend. I had looked forward to many more fun years as we both grew old. We never got around to fishing together, I'll always regret that. Bob's death is a huge and tangible loss to many. I am among them. His smile and laugh will never be forgotten.
Paula Crawford
October 14, 2013
There are some people who cross your path in life and leave behind legacy footprints. Bob Avery was one such man. My heart goes out to his family and friends closest to him. I had great respect for Bob professionally. This is such sad news and a huge loss.
Dianna Erickson
October 13, 2013
I'm sorry for your loss. My heart goes out to you and your family
David Hammontree
October 13, 2013
I knew Bob through Reef2Reef which is a forum for aquarium hobbyist. He was always very helpful to others, knowledgeable, and an all around good person. I am sorry to hear of his passing and he will be missed. My prayers are with Bob's family.
Mike LaPorte
October 13, 2013
Bob will truly be missed in the Reef Aquarium community, I was fortunate to call him my friend.
Steve & Linda Yencich
October 13, 2013
Bob was truly a renaissance man who possessed many skills and talents. As amazing as these all were, none were greater than his love for his family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family, not just now but in coming days and weeks.
Michael & Betsy Solltysiak
October 13, 2013
Our deepest sympathies for your heartbreaking loss. Mr. Avery was truely a uniquely great person and family man. We will miss him. Mike and Betsy Soltysiak
Kathy Crawley
October 11, 2013
I was sad to hear of Bob's passing. I knew Bob from functions with the DEQ and helping with his purchases of lab equipment and supplies. He was a great guy and he will be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Lishba Varughese
October 10, 2013
I was sad to hear about Bob's passing. I worked with Bob at the state lab. He will be missed. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family. May God grant you peace during this difficult time.
Kim Marvin
October 8, 2013
My thoughts and prayers are with Bob's family. Bob was a great guy and a great boss. He will be greatly missed by all of us that had the privilege to know him.
Matt Siler
October 8, 2013
I am so sorry to hear of Bob's passing. Bob was my boss when I first hired on with DEQ and worked at the State Laboratory. He was a great boss and friend. I learned a lot from Bob and enjoyed by time working at the lab in large part thanks to him. He will be missed. My condolences to his family.
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