Bob Welke RIP
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Angel Welke
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Bob Welke RIP
Bob Welke passed away peacefully at home January 16 surrounded by his loving family. His celebration of life will be at Dutcher Funeral Home in Coldwater Friday January 22 with visitation form 2-4pm and 6-8pm and a celebration of his life at 7pm. His burial with a Catholic Mass will be in May.
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BI Community Center
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Sheri Timsak
- Posts: 357
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- Location: Beaver Island, MI
Thoughts and prayers to all the Welke family for the loss of such a wonderful man. We will miss him!
The Timsak Family
The Timsak Family
Last edited by Sheri Timsak on Sun Jan 17, 2016 11:48 am, edited 1 time in total.
Bob was a good man with a big heart! He will be missed on Beaver Island, he spent a long many years here and was a well liked and much respected part of the community! Safe passage Robert!
Last edited by Gillespie on Sun Jan 17, 2016 9:26 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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PhilBecker
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Dick and Amy
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Bob was worthy of all of the love and respect that we feel for him.
Dick and Amy
richard.burris@tds.net
richard.burris@tds.net
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Marie LaFreniere
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Story of Robert (Bob) A. Welkeâ??s Life
Robert A. (Bob) Welke, Age 81, of Beaver Island and Coldwater passed away on January 16, 2016, after a short illness. He was born on July 22, 1934, to William and Elizabeth (Oberle) Welke in Detroit, MI. After graduating from Walled Lake High School, Bob attended the University of Detroit, graduating with a Bachelorâ??s of Science in Civil Engineering in 1958. He married the love of his life, E. Sue (Schulte) Welke, on October 6, 1956. Bob began work for the Michigan Department of Transportation in 1958 as a surveying rodman in Lawrence, MI for the proposed I-94 freeway and worked as a licensed professional engineer for 39 years, rising to the position of Director of the Michigan Department of Transportation in 1996. He retired in August 1997 to focus on his beloved family life and to enjoy his home on Beaver Island.
A celebration of Bobâ??s life will be at Dutcher Funeral Home in Coldwater on Friday, January 22, 2016. The visitation will be between 2:00 and 4:00 pm and 6:00 and 8:00 pm. A prayer service and celebration of life will be held at 7:00 pm. In May, a Catholic Mass will be held at Holy Cross Church on Beaver Island followed by burial at the Holy Cross cemetery.
Bob and Sue raised seven children: Tim (Patti), Bobbi, Tom (Barb), Beth, Mike (Renee), Scott (Michelle Thornton), and Bill (Teri). He enjoyed his 15 grandchildren: Ben (Barbara), Greg (Jenna), Lauren (Taylor Rohlfs), Drew (Carrie), Kate, Karly, Mariah, Makyle, Malina, Brett, Morgan, Erin, Dan, Jack, and Abby. He was proud of his four great grandchildren: Braden, Brice, Brinley, and Ryan. He especially enjoyed his faithful side-kick Molly. Bob was proceeded in death by his parents and his brothers, Chuck, Bill, and Don Welke.
Bobâ??s distinguished career culminated with the 2006 induction into the Michigan Transportation Hall of Honor. While Director of MDOT, Bob was responsible for streamlining operations in state government and authorizing an increase in transportation revenues. Throughout his nearly 40-year career, he made numerous contributions to Michiganâ??s transportation system. Under his leadership, the department decentralized its program and operational delivery activities through the creation of Transportation Service Centers. Bob was nationally recognized for his contributions in the use of recycled materials in highway construction. He also introduced the Adopt-A-Highway program to Michigan, as well as the rumble safety strips to Michiganâ??s state highways. After retirement from MDOT, Governor Engler appointed Bob to serve as chairman of the Transportation Funding Study Committee.
While based in Coldwater, Bob was the Project Engineer responsible for the original construction of I-69 in Branch County, including the building of the Coldwater Welcome Center, which is now named in his honor, along with his daughter, Bobbi, who retired after a 31-year career working at MDOT. Bob and Bobbi collaborated between 1993 and 1997 on designing and building the second Blue Water Bridge located between Port Huron, MI and Point Edward, Ontario. Bob was proud of all of his children, as they are actively involved with their families and communities.
Bob gave back to the community as a member of the Coldwater Jayceeâ??s, helping to establish Big Brothers and Big Sisters in Coldwater, and serving on the school boards of St. Charles Catholic Schools, Coldwater Community Schools, and the Kalamazoo Catholic Dioceses. He also served as President of Beaver Islandâ??s Port St. James Property Association Board of Directors. He is a past member of Coldwaterâ??s St. Charles Catholic Church and is a member of Beaver Islandâ??s Holy Cross Church. An avid pilot, Bob enjoyed flying between Coldwater and Beaver Island. He loved Beaver Island his entire life, from the time Mel Gallagher taught him to walk, through the years he spent hunting, fishing, gardening, and farming. Bob and Sueâ??s home on the island since 1959 was where he spent some of his happiest times with family and friends. Planning and executing a home, garden, or farm project was never-ending on the island.
In lieu of flowers, you may consider a donation to a charity of your choice, or a donation to any of the following charities: Beaver Island Community Center, the Ellen Welke Memorial Fund at Holy Cross Church on Beaver Island, or the Humane Society of Branch County. www.dutcherfh.com
Brought to you by: Dutcher Funeral Home
Robert A. (Bob) Welke, Age 81, of Beaver Island and Coldwater passed away on January 16, 2016, after a short illness. He was born on July 22, 1934, to William and Elizabeth (Oberle) Welke in Detroit, MI. After graduating from Walled Lake High School, Bob attended the University of Detroit, graduating with a Bachelorâ??s of Science in Civil Engineering in 1958. He married the love of his life, E. Sue (Schulte) Welke, on October 6, 1956. Bob began work for the Michigan Department of Transportation in 1958 as a surveying rodman in Lawrence, MI for the proposed I-94 freeway and worked as a licensed professional engineer for 39 years, rising to the position of Director of the Michigan Department of Transportation in 1996. He retired in August 1997 to focus on his beloved family life and to enjoy his home on Beaver Island.
A celebration of Bobâ??s life will be at Dutcher Funeral Home in Coldwater on Friday, January 22, 2016. The visitation will be between 2:00 and 4:00 pm and 6:00 and 8:00 pm. A prayer service and celebration of life will be held at 7:00 pm. In May, a Catholic Mass will be held at Holy Cross Church on Beaver Island followed by burial at the Holy Cross cemetery.
Bob and Sue raised seven children: Tim (Patti), Bobbi, Tom (Barb), Beth, Mike (Renee), Scott (Michelle Thornton), and Bill (Teri). He enjoyed his 15 grandchildren: Ben (Barbara), Greg (Jenna), Lauren (Taylor Rohlfs), Drew (Carrie), Kate, Karly, Mariah, Makyle, Malina, Brett, Morgan, Erin, Dan, Jack, and Abby. He was proud of his four great grandchildren: Braden, Brice, Brinley, and Ryan. He especially enjoyed his faithful side-kick Molly. Bob was proceeded in death by his parents and his brothers, Chuck, Bill, and Don Welke.
Bobâ??s distinguished career culminated with the 2006 induction into the Michigan Transportation Hall of Honor. While Director of MDOT, Bob was responsible for streamlining operations in state government and authorizing an increase in transportation revenues. Throughout his nearly 40-year career, he made numerous contributions to Michiganâ??s transportation system. Under his leadership, the department decentralized its program and operational delivery activities through the creation of Transportation Service Centers. Bob was nationally recognized for his contributions in the use of recycled materials in highway construction. He also introduced the Adopt-A-Highway program to Michigan, as well as the rumble safety strips to Michiganâ??s state highways. After retirement from MDOT, Governor Engler appointed Bob to serve as chairman of the Transportation Funding Study Committee.
While based in Coldwater, Bob was the Project Engineer responsible for the original construction of I-69 in Branch County, including the building of the Coldwater Welcome Center, which is now named in his honor, along with his daughter, Bobbi, who retired after a 31-year career working at MDOT. Bob and Bobbi collaborated between 1993 and 1997 on designing and building the second Blue Water Bridge located between Port Huron, MI and Point Edward, Ontario. Bob was proud of all of his children, as they are actively involved with their families and communities.
Bob gave back to the community as a member of the Coldwater Jayceeâ??s, helping to establish Big Brothers and Big Sisters in Coldwater, and serving on the school boards of St. Charles Catholic Schools, Coldwater Community Schools, and the Kalamazoo Catholic Dioceses. He also served as President of Beaver Islandâ??s Port St. James Property Association Board of Directors. He is a past member of Coldwaterâ??s St. Charles Catholic Church and is a member of Beaver Islandâ??s Holy Cross Church. An avid pilot, Bob enjoyed flying between Coldwater and Beaver Island. He loved Beaver Island his entire life, from the time Mel Gallagher taught him to walk, through the years he spent hunting, fishing, gardening, and farming. Bob and Sueâ??s home on the island since 1959 was where he spent some of his happiest times with family and friends. Planning and executing a home, garden, or farm project was never-ending on the island.
In lieu of flowers, you may consider a donation to a charity of your choice, or a donation to any of the following charities: Beaver Island Community Center, the Ellen Welke Memorial Fund at Holy Cross Church on Beaver Island, or the Humane Society of Branch County. www.dutcherfh.com
Brought to you by: Dutcher Funeral Home