Born Aug. 9, 1934 in Saginaw to Carson and Vera (Runge) Atkins, passed away Sunday, Jan. 8, 2012 at Brian’s House in Bay City after a long illness, at the age of 77. Bob grew up in Vassar and graduated from Vassar High School in 1952 and joined the Navy in October 1952, completing his basic training at the San Diego, CA Naval Base. He served on the USS Pasig water tanker over in Korea and Japan for 16 months. He returned to San Diego, CA and went to storekeeper’s school. Bob married Betty Jo Servis on June 20, 1954 in the North Chapel on the U.S. Naval Base in San Diego, CA. He was transferred to the Norfolk, VA Armed Forces Staff College in January 1955 until his discharge in October 1956. After his discharge, he and Betty returned to Vassar and he then went to work with his father, Carson Atkins at Atkins Hardware and Furniture Store until becoming a co-owner with his brother, Fred and later owner of Atkins Floor Covering. Bob leaves his wife, Betty Jo; children, Kirk and Sue (Schnettler) Atkins, Karen Jo (Atkins) and James Gohsman, William Atkins and dear friend Dawn DeCoe and James and Wendy (Hoeppner) Atkins; grandchildren, Sarah (Gohsman) and Brandon Hubbard, Melissa Atkins, Kaitlyn (Gohsman) and Kyle Shiefer, Chelsea Atkins, Emily (Gohsman) and Justin Goodrow, Callie, Cabrina, Joshua, Madison, Tyler, Morgan and MaKenna Atkins; great-grandson, Noah Goodrow; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Jean and David Hill, Ann and Jerry Cobb; niece, Diane (Atkins) Ford; nephews, C. Daniel Atkins, David and Theresa Atkins, Mark and Desi Atkins, as well as other extended family, nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews. Bob was preceded in death by his parents; brother, A. Fred Atkins; grandparents and sister-in-law, Pat LeMaster. Bob was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Vassar, a Boy Scout, played sports in high school, former member of Vassar Lions Club, co-sponsored the Atkins bowling league for many years and played on Vassar softball league. Bob was on the original board of Vassar Golf & Country Club, spent lots of time helping finish the first phase of the clubhouse. Bob enjoyed golfing, boating, fishing, hunting small game and playing cards. He was a past president of the Vassar DDA, and the Retail Division of the Vassar Chamber of Commerce, helping organize many activities and auctions, and served as the treasurer of the Vassar Downtown Coffee Gang since 1979. Bob was a member of the American Legion, former member of Vassar F.O.E. Club, served on the Huron Area Boy Scout Board and served on many committees for his class reunions since his graduation. Bob and Betty started the “Hobo Dinner” (cooking in garbage cans) at Bay Park and it has become an annual event. Bob loved his home in Bay Park, spending time with his children and grandchildren. He was always trying to get them to enjoy fishing, boating, gardening and feeding his birds and wildlife as much as he did. Bob had to show all of his grandchildren how to can tomato juice, pickles, relish and applesauce. The family has honored Bob’s request and cremation has taken place. There will be a celebration of his life on Saturday, Jan. 14 at 11 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Vassar. The family will receive friends at the church Saturday morning beginning at 9:30 a.m. Memorials may be given to First Presbyterian Church of Vassar or to Brian’s House of Bay City. Hanlin Funeral Home in Millington has been assisting the family with the arrangements. You may express personal condolences, share a memory or light a memory candle at hanlinfuneralhome.com.