Obituary published on Legacy.com by Watkins Brothers Funeral Homes – MacDonald’s Chapel on Jan. 17, 2025.
Robert Thomas Kuch, age 75, passed away on January 15, 2025 in Lansing, Michigan, surrounded by his wife and children.
Bob was born on March 24, 1949 in Lansing, Michigan to Mike and Esther (Berger) Kuch. He grew up in Fowlerville, Michigan, as one of 12 children, and graduated from Fowlerville High School in 1968. Immediately following high school, he served in the United States Navy (Weather Reconnaissance Squadron 4) from 1969 to 1973 in Pensacola and Jacksonville, Florida at the Naval Air Station and honorably discharged as Petty Officer Third Class. He attended and earned an associate degree from Lansing Community College, and after service to his country, he went back to work at Motor Wheel, then moved to General Motors for the next 30 years until retirement.
On February 14, 1969, he married his high school sweetheart, Kay Jean Herbert at St. Agnes Church in Fowlerville, Michigan. They would have celebrated 56 years of marriage this February. Following his Naval service, they left Florida and made Webberville, Michigan their home, raising two children, Anthony, and Angela. He loved golfing, traveling, fishing, hunting, and reaping the rewards of vegetable gardening and canning.
Bob was an active member of St. Agnes Catholic Church in Fowlerville for decades. He was head of the Christian service food pantry, usher, eucharistic minister, and Knights of Columbus, serving two terms as Grand Knight. For 20 years, he sat on the Village of Webberville council and was elected mayor in 1994. His greatest achievement was bringing development to what is the industrial park off M52.
Bob is survived by his wife, Kay; son, Anthony (Meghan Swain) Kuch and daughter, Angela (Elmer) Chirino; grandsons, Killian Kuch and Fransico Chirino; and granddaughter, Yasmin Cordova Chirino. He is also survived his siblings, Carl (Carol) Kuch, Jerry (Sharon) Kuch, Ronald (Carol) Kuch, Mary Eades, William (Jacque) Kuch, Daniel (Cathy) Kuch, Diane (Rod) Monroe, Esther (Ken) Marr, Eileen (Rick) Corbett and many nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Mike and Esther Kuch; brother, David Kuch; and sister, Carolyn (Kuch) Darnell.
Visitation for Bob will be on Monday, January 20th, at Watkins Brothers Funeral Home, MacDonald Chapel, 315 N. Michigan Ave,
Howell, Michigan from 5-8pm, with a rosary being prayed at 7:00pm. After the rosary, the Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus will have a presentation for the family. A funeral mass will be celebrated 11AM Tuesday, January 21st at St. Agnes Catholic Church, 855 E. Grand River, Fowlerville, Michigan, with Father Nate officiating, with visitation an hour prior. Following mass, he will receive a full military honors presentation. Reception will immediately follow military honors at the St. Agnes Catholic Church Lothamer Parish Center, hosted by parish members. Internment at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Fowlerville will occur at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Family Impact Center, PO Box 993 Fowlerville Michigan, 48836 in Bob's memory.
While our hearts were not ready, God set his seat at His table for Bob, and he will be greatly missed by many. Bob loved a good party, time with family and friends, service to the community, and would have you raise a glass of Jameson in his honor.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Robert, please visit our floral store.