Robert Wenzel

Wenzel, Robert V. "Bob" 3/1/1942 - 5/19/2022 Richland Robert V. "Bob" Wenzel, age 80 of Richland, passed away at home on May 19, 2022. Bob was born March 1, 1942, in Plymouth, IN to Robert I. and Irene (Houin) Wenzel. He lived, attended school, and worked on the family farm in Lakeville, IN until going to work for REA Express in 1963. In 1964, he was drafted into the United States Army and served at Fort Polk, LA until 1966. He then returned to Lakeville and worked for REA Express. In 1967, he met Dorothy J. Miller. They were married on April 20, 1968 at St Anthony's Catholic Church in South Bend, IN. They then moved to Warsaw, Indiana where Bob continued work for REA Express for a few months before they moved to Kalamazoo, MI in June. 1968. Both started working for the Upjohn Company, where Bob began a 40 year career at Upjohn/Pharmacia/Pfizer. He retired in 2008. While working at Upjohn he attended Kalamazoo Community College and obtained his associates degree as a lab technician. After that he took additional classes at Western Michigan University. He and Dorothy settled in Richland in 1973 to raise their family and have lived there ever since. He was a member of the Gull Lake/Richland Lions Club for 30 years enjoying all their annual fund-raising events. He was also a long-time member of St Ann's Catholic Church, Augusta MI, where he volunteered for various occasions as needed. Next to enjoying his family his favorite hobby would be home projects, of which he completed many. Bob is survived by his wife of 54 years, Dorothy; daughter, Christine (Wayne) Kramer of Richland; son, Paul (Megan) of Osceola IN; and grandchildren, Ben Kramer (Sara Abate), Rachel Kramer, Garrett Wenzel and Natalie Seidl. Also surviving are Bob's eight brothers, Arnold (Carol), Delenor (Linda), Steve (Suzanne), Eugene (Patricia), DeWayne, Thomas, Leonard (MaryKay) and Ralph (Ursula); six sisters, Delores Leemreis, Sister Julianne Wenzel, Julia Feagler, Loretta (Randy) Chrobot, Ruth (Bill) Molnar and Virginia (Frank) Palfi; brother-in-law, Thomas (Francoise) Miller, and many nieces and nephews. Bob was preceded in death by his parents. A special thank you to University of Michigan Health West – Cancer Center, Wyoming MI for their excellent treatment for the past several years, and to CareLine Hospice, Grand Rapids, MI, for their caring service in the past few months. In lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations to either of these organizations. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, May 25th at the St Ann Catholic Church, 12648 East D Avenue, Augusta, MI 49012 with Father David Pinto, Celebrant and Deacon Michael A. Carl, Assisting. The family will greet friends and family from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., Wednesday at the church prior to Mass. A luncheon will be held in the church social hall immediately following Mass. Interment with military honors will be held at Prairie Home Cemetery, Richland following lunch. Arrangements by the Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care, Richland Chapel. Personal messages for the family and/or favorite memories of Bob may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.