Robert (Bob) Eugene Steinhauer Jr, 51, passed away unexpectedly on Monday November 27th, 2017. Robert was survived by his daughter Samantha Steinhauer, sisters Hannelore (Phil) Convissor, Victoria Steinhauer, Audra Steinhauer, brothers Andreas (Thuan Pham) Sondershaus, Andrew Steinhauer, nephews Joshua Keeler, Zachary Hindenach, Logan Hindenach, Patrick Hartel, Philip Convissor Jr., niece Natasha Keeler, Alexis Convissor. Please contact Samantha for details surrounding the celebration of life for Bob via phone at 231-245-0477 or Facebook.

Writing this I am flooded with emotion, memories and endless gratitude. I did not want this to be another cheesy obituary, but rather a lighthearted celebration of how you have impacted mine and many other’s lives. But you know I am a sap and any good therapist (“A what? Why?”- Dad) would say it may help one heal-- so here it goes.

Dear Dad,

                Remember that one year I decided to wear a white dress for the Daddy Daughter dance? Naïve and impatient I jumped out of the car into a giant mud puddle. Going from a hopeful little cotton ball, to a devastated swamp monster. Although I was a figurative and quite literal mess, I remember you reassuring me we could go back to mom’s to change and we would still have another great year at the Daddy Daughter dance. As we did, for multiple years—my favorite Daddy-Daughter time of the year.

This is the kind of person you were to me and to all that cherished you—generous, gracious, humble, optimistic. You were the kind of person to put yourself second or last if that meant a friend needed to be first. You would drop anything and everything if that meant you could help someone in that moment and never ask for anything in return. You were hard working—over twenty years of loyalty alongside Uncle Shawn, Chuck and the gang at Grand River Interiors where you would install flooring while also helping around the shop working on the computers or other various projects. I never went without and more because of your work ethic and willingness to spoil me.

 I am quite certain that you could own the Alpine Best Buy because of how much of your free time you would spend there—including the nearest buffet or New Beginnings. You loved to eat! You loved having the best and newest electronics, making Russell envious. You loved online gaming and swearing into your headset (although you would trip over your words because your German accent would peep through. I am sure Aunt Hanne can relate). You loved to spend time with your best friend’s Karl and Diane watching Michigan football, or just simply hanging out. You loved to ask me if I had seen the newest sci-fi or action film, or if I’ve heard of a certain artist or song, or restaurant. You were always thinking of me—I know it. So I want to thank you. Thank you for always putting me first, for never allowing me to go a day without having a father in my life. Thank you for loving me with your whole heart, even though you didn’t always know how to express it. Like when I would say ‘I love you’, you would respond with, ‘U 2’, —naturally making me reply with an, ‘Okay, Bono!’

I know I have not told you this enough, but I am so thankful for you and the values you have instilled in me. You ARE an incredible Dad, brother, son-in-law, friend, co-worker, being. I hope to one day have just a fraction of an impact on those around me as you did.

Until our next Daddy Daughter dance--

Love,

Samantha