Bert Noack

A man of integrity, honor, and dedication, Bert Noack lived by his convictions with a humble heart. With his Lord as his ever present guide, Bert placed his faith and trust in God whom he sought prayerfully in every decision. Bert considered himself blessed in many ways, yet his love for the family entrusted to his care was his greatest joy. Deeply devoted, Bert appreciated each blessing that came his way. Gone but never to be forgotten are the numerous memories he leaves in the hearts of those dear to him.

The year 1928 was an exciting time in our nation’s history as the Roaring Twenties redefined the culture of America. While the entertainment industry boomed, the discovery of Penicillin forever changed the field of medicine, and legendary baseball players set astounding records on the ball fields. However, a most welcome event that year in the lives of Benjamin and Sarah (Bublitz) Noack was the May 7 birth of their son, Bert.

Born and raised in Bay City, Michigan, Bert was the youngest of five children, joining his older siblings, Jeanette, Evelyn, Doreen, and Adeline. His father worked as a pattern maker while his mother looked after their household. Although the onset of the Great Depression created hardships for all, young Bert and his family sadly experienced the death of his mother when he was merely 16 months old. In the years that followed, Bert and his sister, Adeline, three years older, formed a close bond that continued throughout their lives.

During his youth Bert enjoyed bicycling, baseball, and camping. As the only son, he was also an avid deer hunter with his father. Bert attended Visitation Catholic Grade School and when he was older, he worked on local farms for several summers. Throughout his school days, there was one special classmate, Patricia Mullins who would one day become Bert’s loving wife.

At 17, Bert entered the U.S. Navy and went on to serve for four years in the South Pacific on Guam Island. He also sailed to Alaska and entered China by the Yangtze River. Upon his honorable discharge, Bert settled in the Detroit area where he began working for the Ford Motor Company. Under the G.I. Bill, he continued his education at Industrial Tech for Engineering near Detroit, and completed his training through engineering correspondence courses.

Bert and Patricia became sweethearts years before, but their relationship grew even stronger when they professed their abiding love. On June 21, 1952, the couple was happily married at the Notre Dame de la Visitation Parish. A joyous day, Bert was the third generation to be married at this longtime family French church, and in 1983, his daughter became the fourth generation to be wed there.

Before long, Bert and Pat started a family of their own. Bert began working for General Motors in Saginaw as a mechanical engineer in 1962, and together they were blessed with three wonderful children, Randall James, Philip Benjamin, and Cynthia Louise. Bert was a family man first, last and always. Deeply devoted, he was involved in his children’s school functions and other activities. Family vacations were a must every summer at a cottage they reserved for a week at Houghton Lake where they had the best of times barbecuing, fishing, boating, and swimming. Most often joined by extended family and friends, it made it all the more enjoyable. Their children had the company of friends for daily adventures, and The Playhouse at Houghton Lake for Summer Stock performances became one of their family’s favorite activities.

Bert was a member of Visitation Church’s Troop 108 Boy Scout Troop in Bay City where he served on the review board. Both of his sons belonged to Troup 108, and his son, Philip went on to become an Eagle Scout. Later, Bert’s grandson, Eric received his Eagle Scout award from St. Augustine’s Boy Scout Troop 224.

When he retired in 1987 after 25 years with GM, Bert enjoyed traveling in their trailer with the Holiday Rambler Club. He and Pat also took in adventures with their family traveling across the country to Florida, Tennessee, Virginia, Washington D.C., and New Mexico and admired what some of the other states had to offer. They also went to Indiana’s Notre Dame Rally, and Bert’s favorite team was no less than the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. One of their most meaningful vacations took place on their 50th wedding anniversary when they celebrated at Mission Point Resort on Mackinac Island with their family enjoying a variety of activities.

Bert enjoyed golfing, fishing, and whitetail deer hunting. Like his father before him, Bert enjoyed hunting with his sons at Lost Lake Woods Private Club in Harrisville, Michigan. With his love of golf, Bert made sure each of his children and grandchildren had an opportunity to learn and play golf.

After retiring, Bert had more time to enjoy his hobbies. He especially loved to tinker and fix things, and when it came to the house or cars, he could fix anything. When he became the owner of his own 22 foot Crestliner Sabre cutty cabin boat, Bert joined the uniformed, volunteer U.S. Coast Guardsman in Bay City and in New Port Richey, Florida where they wintered. He and Pat also reveled in a month long trip to Europe with an additional trip to Ireland. However, the highlight of their European tour was a visit to the Vatican and a private audience with Pope John Paul the Second in 1982. Another memorable time was a Caribbean cruise they enjoyed with good friends, Bill and Sue LaLonde.

Having traveled back and forth every six months from their home in Bay City and their Beacon Lakes condo in Florida for 27 years, Bert and Pat decided in 1999 to make Kalamazoo, Michigan their permanent home and be closer to family. Through the years, Bert served his church in many capacities. In Bay City he was an usher at Visitation Catholic Parish, and for five years he volunteered with maintenance and landscaping at St. Augustine’s Cathedral in Kalamazoo. A deeply religious man with a lifetime devotion to our Blessed Mother Mary, Bert was never far from his rosary as he prayed for his family and friends daily. He also prayed to his own mother who died when he was so young, knowing she continued to watch over him.

Growing out of his love for reading, Bert became quite familiar with the computer world. He so enjoyed the internet, and loved having the world at his fingertips. It was so convenient than hours of research spent at the library. However, the computer never took the place of a book. He and Pat were both avid readers and they always had a good book in hand. Bert never cared much for pets or realized their love until he took care of his son’s cat and daughter’s dog as he developed a strong bond with these animals he came to adore. In time when his health began to fail, Bert began living at Crystal Woods, a part of Park Village Pines, where he received great care.

Bert Noack was a successful yet humble man. In his family he found his greatest treasure, and he served them well as an example of Godly love, devotion, and dedication. Along with his wife, and with unending faith, prayer and trust in God’s will, the couple placed God as their anchor as He guided them through each of life’s decisions, heartaches and triumphs. Deeply missed, Bert leaves a lasting legacy and memories to be forever remembered.

Bert Noack, age 87, died on Monday, December 21, 2015 in Kalamazoo. Surviving are his wife, Patricia Noack; three children: Randy (Katherine) Noack, Philip (Mary Kay) Noack and Cindy (Michael) Vennix; grandchildren: Benjamin and Daniel Noack, Christopher (Wendy) Noack, Amy Noack, and Brian and Eric Vennix; two great-granddaughters: Alyson and Lilian Noack; daughter-in-law, Karen Noack; many nieces and nephews.

Visit with Bert’s family and friends while sharing food and refreshments on Sunday from 3-5 PM at the Life Story Funeral Homes, Betzler–Kalamazoo; 6080 Stadium Drive (375-2900) where the Rosary will be recited at 5:00 PM. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday, 10:00 AM at St. Augustine’s Cathedral followed by a luncheon in the Cathedral Center. Burial at Ft. Custer National Cemetery. Special gratitude to the staff at Crystal Woods and Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan for their wonderful care and compassion. Please visit Bert’s personal web page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can share a favorite memory or photo and sign his online guestbook before coming to the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Augustine Cathedral or Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan.