Robert Hegel

Passed away peacefully in his sleep on September 27, 2020, at the Friendship Village Healthcare Unit in Kalamazoo, MI. Born December 5, 1928, in Chicago, Bob was the only child of Sven and Hulda (Turnquist) Hegel. He made life-long friends (the "Jolly Boys!") while attending high school in Waukegan, IL. Graduating as WWII was ending, he joined the US Army and was a proud member of the 82nd Airborne Division (glider troops). Bob used the GI Bill to earn a BA in English from Knox College, Galesburg, IL, traveling west to work at Estes Park, Colorado before starting graduate school. There he met Peggy, the love of his life. They married in 1953 and lived in Evanston, IL while he finished his master's degree in Political Science (Northwestern University) and Peggy taught second grade. Bob's career began with city management and then expanded to regional-level planning when he worked for the Michigan Municipal League in Ann Arbor, MI. In l974, the family relocated to Kalamazoo, MI where Bob served as Director of the Southcentral Michigan Planning Council. Late in his professional life, Bob returned to his love of English and taught writing at Kalamazoo Valley Community College and in the Business School of Western Michigan University. He may, however, be best remembered as a friend and supporter of many of Peggy's piano students and studio families. In retirement, Bob volunteered at the Parkwood-Upjohn Elementary School and continued his activities with the Lions Club and membership at the First Congregational Church of Kalamazoo. He was a founding member of the Scandies Club, bringing Scandinavian-American locals together to share traditional foods and lectures regarding history and travel in Scandinavia. Bob was an accomplished tennis player who thoroughly enjoyed living in a tennis town. His daughters remember him as an indefatigable booster of their private music lessons. Bob was happiest while camping with his family at Interlochen State Park, listening to classical music, reading non-fiction, or walking Tony, their Border Collie. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Peggy Piper Hegel, daughters Anne (James LaRonde) and Susan (Christopher Chaffee), and two grandchildren, Jesse Giordano-Irvin (Elizabeth) and Madelaine LaRonde. Following Bob's wishes, his body has been donated to the Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine. His ashes will be scattered at the family cabin in Colorado. Donations may be made to Loaves and Fishes 901 Portage Street Kalamazoo, MI 49001 or Ministry with Community 500 N Edwards St Kalamazoo, MI 49007 or Planned Parenthood 4201 W Michigan Avenue Kalamazoo, MI 49006.