Robert (Bob) Allen Clark was born May 8, 1951 to John and Caroline (McCole) Clark in Kalamazoo. He passed from this world into the loving arms of his Savior Jesus on May 4 2023 after a battle with cancer. Bob was a beloved family man and friend to all. As a lifelong resident of Kalamazoo, he graduated from Kalamazoo Central in 1970 and from Kalamazoo Valley Community College with his Associates Degree in 2003. Bob spent his career as a machinist working for KTS, Eaton, and retiring from Flowserve.

To know Bob was to know his love for his family. He married his beloved bride Carol on February 8, 1975. They never had many material goods, but they always had each other. Before children, they volunteered as leaders in their church youth group and traveled out west to the Grand Canyon and Zion National Park. Bob served as a Boy Scout Leader with his father-in-law’s troop for mentally impaired boys. Every project that Carol dreamed up, Bob would make, even if he was frustrated by her in the process.

Bob loved his children, Renea, John, and Emily, more than anything else in the world. He would always say he was so proud of each of them. He supported them in all of their ventures from soccer practices, to play practice, and youth group. Because of Bob and Carol’s hospitality, the Clark home was a gathering place for their children’s friends. Bob became a second father to more than can be counted. There was always an extra seat at their table. As a family, the Clarks went camping every summer holiday weekend at Warner Camp and eventually in retirement Bob and Carol enjoyed a seasonal campsite there. Bob loved that all of his children moved out of state, so it gave him a place to visit. He and Carol visited their children in every place they have lived from Germany to Indiana to South Dakota to Alaska.

Perhaps Bob’s favorite role was as Papa to his grandchildren, Audrey, Samuel, Alice, and Penelope. He loved those kids more than anything else. He took FaceTime calls at midnight from his girls in Alaska, watched soccer games and cheer competitions in Indiana and made them countless gifts.

Bob had never known a stranger and to know him was to love him. He always laughed at his own jokes, even if no one else did. His calm and patient sensibilities put everyone at ease. His deep and rich faith drew others to Christ in ways that will only be seen on the other side of heaven. He belonged to and served Grace Harbor Church (Westwood Church of God) for almost 50 years.

Bob is survived by his wife of 48 years Carol (Weening) Clark, his children Renea (Jon) Lollar of Franklin, Indiana, John Clark of Fairbanks, Alaska, and Emily (Kenny) Sparks of Grand Rapids, his grandchildren Audrey Clark, Samuel Lollar, Alice Clark and Penelope Clark. He is also survived by his siblings, Lizabeth Varg?nen, Dennis (Debbie) Clark, Eugene (Marjorie) Clark, Lee (Peggy) Clark, Marjorie Clark (Jeff Slayton), Virginia Dellinger, Thomas (Julie) Clark and Edward (Heather) Clark, and his brother-in-law Fred Weening. Bob was preceded in death by his parents John and Caroline (McCole) Clark, Jack and Elsie (Tyler) Weening, and siblings Kathleen, Josephine, and Scott Clark.