Robert Bolduc Jr
Age - 86
December 5, 2023
Robert Edmund "Bob" Bolduc, Jr. , age 86 of Muskegon, passed away on Saturday, December 2, 2023 at his home surrounded by his loving wife, Bonnie, and his family. Bob was born on April 9, 1937 in Muskegon, Michigan, the oldest of two children born to Ruth Mary (Versaw) and Robert Edmund Bolduc, Sr. Bob was born into a humble, loving home where he learned about humility, hard work, and sacrifice. Those traits served him with great success throughout his life. Bob grew up in the Bluffton neighborhood and was a typical young boy who liked to explore the dunes and play with the other neighborhood kids. He was a member of the Muskegon St. Joseph High School state champion basketball team of 1953 and graduated from Muskegon Catholic Central in 1955. During the summers, he worked concession stands at Pere Marquette Park to earn money to pay for college. Bob attended Muskegon Community College with plans to transfer to Michigan State University in his junior year. He also joined the Naval Reserves and was called to active duty during his sophomore year. Two days before Bob was to report for active duty in Washington DC, he was involved in a serious hunting incident where he was accidentally shot in the face by another hunter. Bob spent a year recovering from his injuries. During his recovery, Bob met Bonnie Jerene Berg (Muskegon HS 1958) at Pere Marquette Park. They were married on June 20, 1959 and spent 64 happy years together. Bob and Bonnie had five children: Robert "Rob" Edmund, III (m. Nadra Smith), Richard "Ric" Harold (m. Laura Porter), Shelly Anne (Hause), Sindee Annette (m. Darin Stenholm), and James "Jay" Louis (m. Amy Fleck). After recovering from the hunting accident, Bob began working at General Telephone (GTE) in Muskegon collecting change out of pay phones to earn money to go back to college. He was quickly promoted and entered the management program at GTE. Bob decided not to go back to college and instead pursued a career in telecommunications. After six years of military service, He was honorably discharged from the Navy and began to pursue his passion for public service. Bob joined many service organizations starting in the early 1960's. He was a member of the Muskegon Jaycees, Rotary Club, Elks, American Legion, Eagles, and Knights of Columbus. He served as a member of the Seaway Festival Board and was the president of the Seaway Festival in 1973. He also served on the Muskegon Catholic Central Board and was asked to become superintendent of the school. He turned down the offer and stayed in telecommunications. Bob's career took him and his family to Dowagiac, Michigan, Westport, Connecticut, Fort Wayne, Indiana, and Carmel, Indiana. He retired from GTE in 1991 as senior vice president at the age of 52. At retirement, Bob and Bonnie moved to Twin Lake, Michigan and spent winters living in Florida. In 1993, Bob stepped out of retirement to work as a telecommunications consultant in Venezuela. When his duties were fulfilled, Bob retired again but, this time, for good. Bob was an avid hunter, fisherman, and golfer, and had a special kinship with wildlife and the outdoors. He enjoyed the company of others and spent much of his free time with family and friends. Bob never met a stranger, only friends he'd never met before. He was outgoing and had a love for life that was contagious. Bob was also adventurous and traveled to all 50 states along with many countries around the world. Bob asked to recognize specific groups and organizations that he was involved with: Prince of Peace Catholic Church, North Muskegon, St. Joseph Catholic Church, St. Petersburg, FL, St. Mary's Catholic Church, Muskegon, American Legion, Post 69 Whitehall, MI, Montague/Whitehall Rotary Club, Knights of Columbus, No. 2105, White Lake Eagles, and the US Navy. Above all of Bob's accomplishments, he deeply loved his wife, Bonnie, his five children, and the many members of his extended family. He was a great husband to his wife and role model to his children, and he provided his family a safe, loving home sacrificing his time and talents towards their well-being and growth. Bob created good times and fond memories for his family to cherish. Bob is survived by his wife, Bonnie, and their children, along with 14 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, and seven great-great-grandchildren. Bob is also survived by his sister, Sandra Strandberg (and her children) of Spring Lake; and numerous other relatives throughout the Muskegon area. He was preceded in death by his grandson, Richard Harold Bolduc, Jr. ; his son- in-law, Thomas Raymond Hause, Jr. ; and his brother-in-law, William "Bill" Strandberg. The family wishes to acknowledge and thank everyone who surrounded Bob with love throughout his life and during his courageous battle with cancer. We will miss him greatly. A Celebration of life in Bob's honor will be held at 11:00 a. m. on Saturday, December 9, 2023 at Klaassen Family Funeral Home. Full Military Honors will be provided by the American Legion, Charles A. Conklin Post 28. All family and friends are invited to join the Bolduc family for this celebration of a "life well-lived. " Memorial Contributions may be made to Hospice of Michigan or a charity of the donor's choice.Show more
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