John Hausler
Bob was my favorite uncle, and though I didn't see enough of him in my adult years, I was afforded the opportunity to spend enough time with him as a child for his (and Rosie's) interactions with me to make lasting impressions. I mimic his dislike of coffee to this day, but I rebelled when it came to his insistence on not mixing food together on his dinner plate. I learned how to flush out gophers from his garden, a less than favorite task. He taught me how to be meticulous with his roses and his lawn (pity the dog that peed on it), perhaps influencing my mid-life choice to become a professional gardener, even though I don't do lawns, and My roses never look as good as his did, nor can I grow decent Glads like he did. Bob and Rosie taught me how to play Cribbage, and I retrieved from the trash many a deck of cards thrown there by disgruntled losers, usually adults and usually close friends or relatives of Bob and Rosie.
Before he and Rosie had children of their own, they took in my siblings and my cousins for short and long visits, sometimes in pairs or groups and sometimes as individuals. It was wonderful getting individual attention that was harder to come by in my parents' home. These vacations were working vacations - no sitting around with electronic games or cellphones - but they also included trips in Bob's new convertibles to New Era (ice cream) and the musical fountain in Grand Haven.
I'll always appreciate as an adult that these invitations came even in the harder years, when Bob was laid off from his job and when my cousins, Bridgette and Bobby, came on the scene. I remember some confrontations, but things always came out okay. I have a vague memory of having to change Bridgette's diaper at least once in Bob's presence and Rosie's absence - yet another delegation and learning experience on my vacation.
Bob was a wonderful person. I will forever cherish his sense of humor - except when he washed out my mouth with soap for calling him a "pee pee pot". Mostly I appreciate his role as a summertime "father" during a few years of my younger (much younger) days in the 50's and 60's. Thank you, Bob, for your time and your caring.
Your favorite nephew, John Hausler.
