Robert Yackish

Yackish, Robert 8/19/1942 - 8/23/2022 Kalamazoo (Kalamazoo, MI -Oshtemo Twnshp) Robert Yackish, 80 years Old from Kalamazoo, MI. Exactly 80 years and five days upon his initial entry (Hammond, IN), the rats did indeed take 1st Place- finally signalling an official end to the race for Robert Yackish on August 23, 2022 at Rose Arbor Hospice. After graduating George Rogers-Clark High School, Robert "Bob" Yackish enlisted in the US Army during VietNam, graced and highly placed to serve as a young MP in Germany. Something about IQ scores. Purdue University is responsible for officially bestowing him with his B.S. degree, earned first as a Chemical Engineer, Food Science. Bob took great pride in his collegiate identity. A performing field member of The Purdue Marching band trombone section, all things Purdue (college basketball in particular) got him rev'd up to the end. While employed by The Keebler Compnay (Kelloggs) to formulate Pop Tarts, the elves' magic ensured he met his wife of the next 35 years. Aside from three children, highlights include General Manager of Mid America Potato Company, General Manager Pilgrim Farms Pickle Factory (relish supply for McDonald's special sauce), a short stint at American Express Financial, and General Manager 3rd Shift for Campbell Soup Company. No slouch in retirement, Bob volunteered as a bus driver for the Portage Senior Center, kept the time clock at Kalamazoo Christian basketball games, recruited for Purdue around MI schools as part of the Alumni Association, and handed out programs in the stands at Kalamazoo Kings baseball games. He could be spotted as a greeter (security) at Meijer on West Main, taking rodents head on for Griffin Pest Control, installing Gordon Water softners, with a watchful eye on Portage Self-Storage Units. Throughout his life, Bob was repeatedly elected to serve the Christian Reformed Church as Deacon or Elder, depending on the cycle. In assisted living style at The Fountains, he called Bingo in-between Fox News segments and cocktail hour, until covid lockdown hit with no ins or outs for more than a year. It wasn't even Covid itself, causing a stir on his floor just before the second round of vaccinations. He accepted a seemingly kushy position as the self-appointed "VP of Looking Out the Window." Long-term inactivity weakened him; void of strength necessary to recover from final events, he is now taking our breaks for us in heaven. Bob Yackish is survived in love by siblings Thomas Yackish and Elizabeth Cline; children Stephanie Yackish, Marcy (Marc) Mickiewicz, James (Jenna) Yackish; and 6 grand-daughters. Celebration Of Life to be held September 9, 2pm at Third CRC 2400 Winchell Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49008 Donations in leiu of flowers can be made to Sacred Heart of Michigan https://secure.qgiv.com/for/shrehab