Robert Dale Studebaker

January 4, 1955 - February 23, 2021

Robert (Bob) Dale Studebaker was born in Chicago, Illinois on January 4, 1955.

Bob’s father, Robert William Studebaker, was born July 18, 1927 and died June 4, 1956. He was a tool and die maker. His mother, Loretta Faye Studebaker (Spetz), was born August 20, 1933 and died February 23, 1983. Bob had one older sister, Linda Faye Studebaker-Swanson. Loretta worked at Walgreens when Linda and Bob were young. Then her and her sister, Francis, owned the Sisters restaurant in Worth, Illinois. They had quite the business, for two female owners in the day, until Francis took ill and they had to close the restaurant.   

Bob and Linda vaguely remember their dad because he died when they were very young. Their mom was very caring and loving. She was a hard worker and rarely sat down, just like Bob’s wife, Mary. Linda always said that Bob married a woman just like their mom. There were 7 children in their mom’s family and 3 in their dad’s. If you asked Bob, he would say “you were mom’s favorite, Linda”. And if you asked Linda, she would say Bob was her favorite. She really didn’t have a favorite!

Bob and Linda grew up in South Stickney Township, which in 1970 became Burbank, Illinois and attended Luther Burbank School and Reavis High School. Their neighborhood had a lot of kids in it and they all played softball and football in the streets. There was always someone to play with. For a long time, they had a huge prairie right in front of their house. They all enjoyed building forts and hiding in the prairie until they built a street and houses lining both sides of the street. It was fun while it lasted.

After Bob’s dad died, their Grandma Spetz (Bob called her the General) and Uncle George moved in. Bob and Linda were very close with their Uncle George, and Bob was a lot like him. He liked to have fun and party. Bob was even an iron worker with Uncle George. Their projects together enabled them to do a lot of traveling out of state.

When Mary and Bob met, it was love at first sight. Mary took one look at Bob’s beautiful blue eyes and she was hooked. He was Mary’s “Bobby Bear”, and she was his “Sweet Cheeks”. Mary and Bob got married in Virginia and it was quite the event. Bob was pretending that he was going to a shotgun wedding. They got off of the elevator at the courthouse and Bob was pretending to shake and act nervous because it was the end of his days as a bachelor. And when it was finally official, Mary and Keith held up the Marriage License and said, “See this, we own you now!” And now, they have been together for 34 years.  

Bob was about 9 years old when his mom got him his first guitar and signed him up for lessons. He instantly fell in love with playing guitar and yearned to be in a band. Bob could not drive yet so his sister Linda took him to audition for a band. That is where Linda met her husband, Jim, who instantly accepted Bob into the band, so he could continue to see Linda.

Bob’s love of music took him in many directions. He was a fantastic guitar player and singer, and naturally played by ear. He was far too modest and humble to ever accept critical acclaim that he was among the greats! He was also blessed with the opportunity to be the music minister of his church. He shared his gift with everyone around him, taught Keith to play the drums, Andru to play the guitar, and Alex to play the guitar, bass, and keep a beat on the drums. His son and grandsons truly inherited his music abilities. 

Next to music, sports were his high! Football, hockey, and baseball. And when Michael Jordan played, basketball took precedence over everything! If you don’t believe this, come take a look at his mancave! One time, Mary and Bob stopped at the grocery store after church. It was around noon, and getting all too close to the kickoff of the Lions vs. Bears game, and Bob wanted to get home. They walked down every isle and Bob would show Mary his watch saying, “Let’s go, let’s go, I’m going to miss the start of the game”. Of course, Mary told him, “looking at your watch isn’t going to make me move any faster”. He was so pathetic and embarrassing that Mary surrendered and headed to the checkout. Long story short, Bob was home for kickoff!

Bob had multiple careers in his lifetime, but his most noble profession was joining the United States Postal Service, where he worked until retirement. He started out as a mail carrier, went into supervision, and before retirement, moved to the call center. He won multiple awards, most notably saving an elderly lady’s life who was on his mail route.

Bob’s favorite vacation spot was Club Studebaker’s, his backyard mancave. With an all-inclusive inground pool and outdoor living room with a 50” flat screen TV that hung from the wall, Bob could watch his games while floating in the pool. Club Studebaker’s was thee vacation spot. He was the host with the most! Included in his vacation package was food that would make a grown man drool! When you came over, you never knew what would be on the grill. His famous ribs, steaks cooked to perfection, chicken for Mary, you name it, and Papa would grill it.

Bob had a way with words. When anyone would say, “good morning”, he would respond by saying, “What’s so good about it?!” He also had a salute, just ask Tommy, “L” for LOSER! And if you tried to talk to him seriously, he would say, “Who Caaaaaares?!” Dean, Jeff, and Bob had a ‘Boytoy’ dance that would have you laughing on the ground.

Bob’s greatest joy in life was helping others and he had a particular soft spot for seniors. No matter where he lived, he would always lend a hand, cutting grass or shoveling snow. He had the biggest heart ever. One time he and his son Keith spent hours shoveling their neighbor’s sidewalks and driveways AFTER shoveling their own driveway and sidewalk. And on this particular day there was literally 6-8 inches of snow. AND this was before snowblowers. Part of this was because of his BIG heart, but he also had empathy and respect for mailmen because he HATED walking in inches of snow to get to mailboxes when he delivered to houses on his routes.

Trying to encompass all that Bob was, and what he will be remembered for the most, is almost impossible. Bob struggled immensely over the last year, but he did his best to stay strong and he fought for his life. He was hardheaded and a hard worker. In his last visit with Andru, they were even looking forward to the upcoming summer and opening up Club Studebaker’s mancave and pool together.

Bob spent his last days, at home, in his mancave with Mary and Linda by his side. Mary gave him a last hug, and said “I love you”, and Bob’s last words were “I love you too”, as he peacefully passed away on the same date as his mother. Linda felt that this was beautiful because his mother came to take him home. 

Though he is gone, we will always remember his infectious smile that would warm a room, his bright blue eyes that would light up the room, and his sense of humor that would just fill the room with absolute laughter. He was literally the life of the party. We just hope that he didn’t take that party with him. We love you, we will miss you, and we will carry your legacy in our hearts forever.

                     Those we love don’t go away, they walk beside us every day, unseen, unheard,

                                        but always near still loved, still missed and very dear.

 

Robert Dale Studebaker, age 66 of Farmington Hills, passed away February 23, 2021.

Mary was his beloved wife for 31 years. He was the loving father of the late Tommy Keith and proud Papa of Andru Robert and Alexander Dale. Dear brother of Linda (Jim) Swanson, dear brother-in-law to Joan (the late Keith), Larry (Pat), Patty (Alvie), the late Donna, Cathy (Alvin), Joseph (Michele), Barbara (Dean), the late Michael, Jeffrey (Courtney), Tommy (Betty) and his Brother-from-another-Mother Jack Pellosma. Uncle to Kim, Jimmy, Adam, Eric, Edna, Pamela, the late Stanley and Joseph, Gary, Patricia, Melissa, Julia, Laura, Emilee, Courtney, the late David, Chris, Michael Dean, Kyle, Haven, Jeffrey Jr, Justin, and Tommy Jr. Great Uncle to many nieces and nephews. Bob also leaves his best friend, Gibson.  He was loved by many with far too many close friends to count or list.

Visitation for Mr. Studebaker will be held on Monday, March 1st, from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., at McCabe Funeral Home, 31950 W. 12 Mile Rd., Farmington Hills. 

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