J. Robert Walsh

With a life that spanned nearly a century, J. Robert “Bob” Walsh lived a life of purpose while holding his loved ones near. Although he accomplished so much of which to be proud, he was a humble and generous man who lived to make the world around him a better place. A lifelong resident of the community he loved, Bob was the sort of person whom everyone seemed to know. A man of great honor and integrity, his life was an inspiration to all who were near. Together with the love of his life, Bob experienced so many of the best things that life has to offer, but there was nothing like being surrounded by the ones he loved most. He will be deeply missed while his memory is forever cherished.

The year 1917 is often remembered as the year that our nation entered into WWI after repeated acts of hostility in the Pacific left us with no choice but to engage in the fight for the preservation of the freedoms that we all enjoy today. Our involvement was brief as the war ended the following year, and America was recognized as a world leader for the first time. This same year was a year to remember in the lives of a young couple from Detroit, Michigan, as they were pleased to announce the birth of their healthy baby boy on May 29, 1917. John Robert was the only child born to his parents, Fred and Daisey (Schaab) Walsh. His father worked as a civil engineer for Detroit Edison, although he and his mother were given a tough pill to swallow with the death of his father when he was just one and a half years old. Bob and his mother then moved to Muskegon to live with her older sister for a time. His mother later remarried Melvin Beeman, a tool and die maker, who become Bob’s step-father. He spent the remainder of his formative years in a home on Washington Avenue in downtown Muskegon.

For the most part, Bob experienced an upbringing that was a reflection of his generation. He enjoyed things like swimming, ice skating, ice boating, and fishing. Bob was active in the Boy Scouts with troop 10, which met at McGraft Memorial Congregational Church. He later became an Eagle Scout and went on to become scoutmaster of the troop. A highlight during those years was building a log cabin at Bronson Park during the 1930s. As a teenager he worked at the Boy Scout Camp on Big Blue Lake. The Walsh family enjoyed camping together and once took a memorable trip to Yellowstone National Park in the thirties. They also attended McGraft Memorial Congregational Church. Bob was a student at local schools who attended Nims Elementary School and then went on to Muskegon High School.

After graduating in 1937, Bob became a tool maker apprentice at Shaw Box & Crane. During the days of WWII he honorably served in the United States Army Joint Assault Signal Company (JASCO) in the Asiatic-Pacific Theatre, which included Central Pacific, Solomon Islands, Southern Philippines, Luzon. Bob’s time in the military spanned from 1942 through 1945.

Not to be forgotten during his years in the military was Bob’s blossoming romance with the young woman with whom he would write a love story that would span more than 60 years. Her name was Harriet Green, and her family also attended his same church. While overseas Bob and Harriet corresponded by letter, and once he returned home they began dating. They later found themselves deeply in love, and with a desire to spend the rest of their lives together they became husband and wife on July 12, 1952. The newlyweds moved around a bit initially, but they finally found a lot on Addison Street overlooking Ruddiman Creek, a block from Muskegon Lake. They built a house there that would be the place they called home for the rest of their lives. After the war ended Bob also completed his apprenticeship and then made a career as a tool maker at Shaw Box for 42 years.

Bob and Harriet never had any children, but they were a very active couple who enjoyed doing things together. They were faithful and active members at First Congregational Church their entire adult life, serving there in a variety of ways. Bob and Harriet loved taking amazing vacations together every year, and over time they made it to several parts of the country. An avid and gifted photographer, he was able to take the most amazing photographs that chronicled the beauty of the country. Bob was a member of the Muskegon Camera Club from 1966 through 2010, the Southwestern Michigan Council of Camera Clubs, and the Photographic Society of America. His work didn’t go unnoticed as his slides were shown in programs at P. J. Hoffmaster State Park's Gillette Nature Center. "Ice on the Great Lakes" was made in 1986, and that was the same year that he won a Kodak award for a slide he took in the Great Smokey Mountains National Park.

As a nature lover, Bob could often be seen walking the shore of Muskegon Lake, picking up shards from the lumbering days that he then used in making driftwood cottages. These were a beautiful sight, and they have been displayed at First Congregational Church, Tempting Tables Breast Cancer Research Fund Raiser, and on WZZM. Churches and ships were also among his creations. Bob was a member of the Ruddiman Creek Task Force, and he used his slides to document the creek over the years. On May 2, 2012, the task force was placed in the Michigan Environmental Hall of Fame at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum.

During their retirement years Bob and Harriet had more time to pursue their interests including the ability to travel more extensively. They took wonderful trips to Europe, England, New Zealand, and Scandinavia, and Bob volunteered his time building sets for the Muskegon Civic Theater. Bob liked going to hear the West Shore Symphony and attending the Kiwanis Travel Series.

A few years ago Bob began showing signs of Alzheimer’s disease. Harriet took wonderful care of him, but the years started taking their toll on both of them. After Harriet’s death in July of 2014, Bob moved into assisted living.

A hardworking and talented man, J. Robert Walsh made a significant impact in his community through his contributions and works of art. He made the most of the time he was given while making memories with his family and friends. Bob will never be forgotten.

J. Robert "Bob" Walsh died on Thursday, November 27, 2014. Services will be held on Sunday, December 21, 2014, at 12:00 noon at First Congregational Church UCC in the Margaret Walker Chapel with Rev. Timothy Vander Haar officiating. Memorials can be made to First Congregational Church UCC.