- Date Of Birth: May 12, 1942
- Date Of Death: February 7, 2017
- State: Michigan
Robert Herald Grosser, age 74, passed away on Tuesday, February 7, 2017 in Kairos Dwelling, Kalamazoo MI. Bob was born on May 12, 1942 in Kalamazoo, MI the son of the late Herald D. and Pauline (Bolle) Grosser. He lived most of his life in the Portage area before building a home in Cooper Township in 1998.
Bob spent his working career in the foundry industry. In the 1960’s and 70’s he worked at Portage Aluminum, in the early 1980’s he started Kalamazoo Castings, and later Mall City Aluminum, now run by his son.
If every scar and callous on a man’s hands told a story, then we could publish a novel about Bob. Every scar and callous reflected who Bob was a person. There would be countless chapters that would tell of a scar that was inflicted by his stubbornness to continually seek a better way to create a flawless casting or a project to help someone in need. Each callous on his hands tells of the dedication and pride that he took in what he created, who he was and how he supported his family.
Like his father, Bob was especially known for his love of tinkering and there wasn’t much that he could not fix. When he wasn’t working in the foundry he could be found building dune buggies, trailers, race cars, garages, homes or helping a friend in need. Bob also enjoyed taking time away with his friends and family to go to the race track or out hunting, fishing, camping and snowmobiling.
Bob was a very private person and really enjoyed his close-knit group of friends. There are countless stories of Bob and their adventures. Bob also had a softer side when it came to children. He had a special, calming way with babies and loved to hold every little child that came into his home. He made the best playmate and always had endless candy to share. Bob and Maxine also opened their home to many kids that needed a little time away, a hot meal or a firm “facts of life talking to” before heading back home.
Besides his parents, Bob was preceded in death by two infant daughters, Paula and Dawn. On July 30, 1965, Bob married the former Maxine Junker, who survives. Also surviving are a daughter, Kathy Allman of Battle Creek, MI; a son, Robert (Tammy) Grosser of Richland, MI; four grandchildren, Brandon & Baylee Allman and Zachary & Holly Grosser; a great-granddaughter, Lily Grosser; two sisters, Joyce (Chuck) Farho of Tucson, AZ and Marcia (Chris) Wells of Mishawaka, IN; several nieces, nephews; and a large extended family.
