Robert Lee Rummer II's Obituary
LIFE STORY:Unconditional in his love, Robert Rummer II was a man of solid integrity who gave his all in everything he did, keeping about him an unwavering and optimistic demeanor. With strong values as his guide, he accomplished many things in his life and blessed his family with abundant love. Bob will be warmly remembered as a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend. In 1948, the United States was still recovering from the effects of World War II. Thousands of young soldiers returned home to start their families and the Baby Boom was quickly underway. Robert Lee Rummer and his wife, Ilene Mabel (Heydenberk), of Custer, Michigan were among the many expecting parents. On April 29, 1948, the couple welcomed the birth of their son, Robert Lee II, at Paulina Stearns Hospital in Ludington. Robert was the youngest of three children, with an older brother, Bill, and sister, Sandy. Growing up, Robert received his education in the area schools, and spent much of his leisure time hunting, trapping and fishing with his Dad and brother Bill. His father was a brick mason by trade and Robert often helped him and his grandfather do brick work, so it was only natural that he became the third generation of brick masons in their family. He started a career in masonry at the age of 17, and was loyal to this trade for over 40 years. Robert was a good student and played basketball in high school. Shortly after graduating from Mason County Eastern High in the summer of 1966, Robert received his draft notice from the U.S. Army and soon shipped out for Vietnam. Like his father and grandfather before him, he proudly served his country in the military and received high honor and medals for his valor in battle. He was awarded both the Bronze Star Medal for Heroism and the Army Commendation Medal for his selfless actions in combat, exemplifying the ideals of personal bravery and devotion to duty. For many years, Robert rarely spoke of his experiences overseas, but he was truly proud to be an American and to have served his country in the military. After the years of the war, Robert experienced a new joy – he met the love of his life, Karen Clapper, through a mutual friend. They joined their lives in marriage and began a family of their own.. Over the next few years, the couple was blessed with the births of two sons, Jim and Chad, who brought them great pride and joy. To support his growing family, Robert returned to his work in masonry with his business partner, Don Wagner. Being the third generation of masons, the Rummer name was already well known in the masonry community, and Robert lived up to the inherited high standard with his meticulous work ethic. He became greatly respected through the state for his detailed and precise field stone and glass block work, which were truly works of art. Robert also took great pride in giving back to his community, donating labor to many organizations, and doing brickwork and arches for churches throughout central and northern Michigan. Hoping to inspire a fourth generation of Rummer masons, Robert taught his sons how to lay brick and helped build part of their homes, as well as his own. Along with working hard to support his family, Robert also found time to have fun. Being an avid outdoorsman, he loved to reward his sons for their hard work at home and in school with fishing trips. Robert especially liked trout fishing and had a favorite spot on the river where he knew the fish were always biting. He also enjoyed mushroom hunting and had a keen eye for the perfect growing spots. Always hands-on, Robert loved teaching his boys about the joys of hunting and fishing and when it came to their passions, he was right there cheering them on, delighting in their accomplishments. On one particular hunting trip, his son Chad (who was just 10 at the time) shot an eight point deer, but the buck ran out into the middle of a pond to die. In freezing cold temperatures, Robert stripped down and waded out to get that buck for Chad. When not sharing father/son time with his boys, Robert enjoyed many hunting and fishing trips to Canada, Alaska and out west with his best friend and former basketball coach, Scott Russell. Robert eventually went to work as a courier for Scott at the Mason-Lake ISD, where he worked for many years before retiring. Robert’s experiences of hunting from the time he was a young boy, contributed to his becoming an expert trap shooter later in life. He won many awards and competitions, setting records as one of the best in the area. Robert was also instrumental in starting the Mason County Fin & Feather Sportsman Club, and was a member of Mason County Ducks Unlimited and Mason County Walleye Association. As a proud Veteran, he was an active member of the Custer VFW, where he built the barbeque pit used for many events. He started cooking burgers there for fun on Thursday nights, where a few gathered to hang out, eat and enjoy music with a band. The gathering that started with just a few has grown to standing room only crowds on a regular basis. Robert Rummer knew what was important in life: there is nothing more valuable, more lasting and more rewarding than giving all you can of yourself to your family, your friends and your community. He always said that “when he left this world, he wanted to know that he gave more than he received.” His deeds and actions will forever be an inspiration to those who knew and loved him. Robert Lee Rummer died peacefully at his home in Custer Township on Thursday evening, September 9, 2010, surrounded by the family he loved so much. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Bill, and his sister Sandy Nelson. Bob will be greatly missed by his wife Karen; his sons Jim Rummer and wife Hailey of Harbor Springs, and Chad Rummer and his wife Brandi of Custer; his beloved grandchildren Bryleigh, Cayden, and Colby; his Mother-in-law Mary Snow of Ludington; his Sisters-in-law Cathy Rummer of Fairbanks, Alaska, and Kathy (Bryan) Wilson of Yuma, Arizona; and numerous nieces and nephews. A Celebration of Life service will be held for Bob at 11:00 AM on Saturday, September 18 at the Stephens Funeral Home in Scottville, with Pastor Joe Hilyard, Hospice of Michigan Chaplain officiating. Burial will follow with Honor Guard rites at the Riverside Cemetery in Custer. Friends may meet with his family for a time of visitation on Friday evening from 6-8 PM at the funeral home. Those who wish to make memorial contributions are asked to consider Hospice of Michigan – Mason County.
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