Robert G. "Bob" Denk

Robert G. Denk, born on March 7, 1952, was the second of 5 children born to George F. and Edith (Klingbiel) Denk in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. Bob graduated from Lincoln High School in Manitowoc in 1970 and went on to earn an engineering degree from the University of Wisconsin Stout and an MBA from St. Thomas Aquinas in Minnesota. His career varied from designing packaging for toys at Playskool to supply chain management in the defense industry for Honeywell. He retired in 2010.
A lifelong learner, Bob had many interests. By happy coincidence, work took him to Detroit, nurturing his love for cars that began in his teenage years. He was particularly attracted to antique cars, restoring a Model A in his early 20s. He joined the Ford Mercury Restorers Club and the National Classic Car Club of America, where he was a certified classic car judge. Music was also a big part of his life, from piano lessons in grade school, to playing the trumpet in symphonic and marching bands, to taking up the guitar in later life. He also got his pilots license and joined a flying club. Bob was an avid runner, competing in several marathons, including New York, Las Vegas and Hawaii.
Bob had a great sense of humor, loved trivia and sharing "fun facts", was quick to make a joke and was always ready with a pun.
He met the love of his life, Linda, at the Farmington Hills singles golf league, when they were paired up on their very first day. They hit it off that day (pun intended) and started seeing each other right away. Linda calls Bob her "angel", coming into her life at a very challenging time and saving her. They were married on July 7, 2000. To his father-in-law, Anton Pilous, he became "the son he never had".
Bob was preceded in death by his parents, George and Edith Denk, and his parents-in-law, Anton and Beulah Pilous. He is survived by his siblings, Ron (Pat) Denk, Sue (Jack) Akin, Dave Denk, and Tony (Debbie) Denk.
He will be missed by all who knew him. A visitation will take place at the O'Brien/Sullivan Funeral Home, 41555 Grand River Ave, Novi, MI 48375, on Wednesday, April 19, at 11 am until the funeral service at 1 pm.
The family would like to thank the hardworking and caring staff at Beaumont Hospital Farmington Hills for their tireless efforts.