Robert "Bob" Birkhold

Robert "Bob" O. Birkhold Jr, 79, of Dowagiac, passed away Friday evening, December 29, 2023 with his family by his side.
He was born on January 10, 1944, in Three Rivers, MI, the son of Robert Sr and Anita (Zielke) Birkhold. Bob was a 1962 graduate of Cassopolis High School, where he excelled in football. While in high school, he met the love of his life and future wife, Connie Wright. They were united in marriage on June 15, 1963 and promptly moved to California, via Route 66, where Bob would start his new job, working with his father building a new factory for American Coach.
In 1967, Bob and Connie moved back to Dowagiac, where Bob accepted a position at Community State Bank. While he remained at the same location for 31 years, the bank had changed names several times. Bob held many positions over his career and retired from FMB Community Bank as vice-president in 1998.
Bob was a longtime member of both the Dowagiac Lions Club and Dowagiac Elks Lodge #889. He was active in coaching Little League for many years. Bob was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed golfing, hunting, fishing, and driving his 4-wheeler. He was a devoted fan of University of Michigan Football, Detroit Tigers baseball, Detroit Lions football, and NASCAR. Bob loved visiting with friends and family and would always stop what he was doing to have a beer or two.
Surviving are his wife of 60 years – Connie Birkhold; two children – Rick (Suzanne) Birkhold and Kris (Schjuan) Morris; three granddaughters – Shonna, Kylin and Kyonna; two great-granddaughters – Tiari and M'Kyla; two sisters – Pam (Ray) Newman and Sherrie Wentworth; brother-in-law – Tom (Sue) Wright; sister-in-law – Kay (Roger) Munson; and many nieces and nephews.
Preceding him in death were his parents; and mother and father-in-law – Dwight and Marabeth Wright; and brothers-in-law – Dennis Wright, Kenneth Wright and Dennis Wentworth.
A service to celebrate Bob's life will be held at 12:00 PM on Saturday, January 6, 2024 at Clark Chapel – Starks Family Funeral Homes and Cremation Services, 405 Center St, Dowagiac, where friends may visit with the family from 10:00 AM until the time of service. Private family inurnment will be in Riverside Cemetery. Memorial contributions in Bob's name may be directed to Dowagiac Elks Lodge #889 or Cass County Cancer Services. Those wishing to share a memory of Bob online may do so at www.clarkch.com.