Floyd 'Bob Hiestand, Jr.

Floyd Elroy Hiestand Jr. (Bob) passed away September 22, 2021, at the age of 83.  Bob was born October 17th, 1937, in Kalamazoo Michigan, the son of Floyd Hiestand Sr. and Nona (Baker) Hiestand.  Floyd’s Grandma Hiestand always wanted a grandson named Robert, so that’s what she called him, and the name stuck.  Growing up in Oshtemo, Bob would spend countless hours helping out on his Uncle Henry Hiestand’s dairy farm.  He attended a one room country school, walking to and from with his cousin Marge (Hiestand) Eggan, and graduated in 1955 from Mattawan High School.  He had a close relationship with his two younger sisters, always looking out for them, which continued through adulthood.  After graduation, Bob worked at Germaines Shell Station in Oshtemo.  He served in the army, stationed in Texas, from November of 1961 until November of 1963, when he was honorably discharged. Upon returning home, he worked for Kalamazoo Implement in parts and repair, as well as working in Bill Gibson’s garage repairing lawn equipment and tractors.  Bob also became a volunteer firefighter for Oshtemo Township at this time.  He was later employed at Seelye Ford as manager of the parts department, and eventually retired from there.  But Bob was not one to sit around and do nothing, and soon found himself helping John Gurtz on his farm in Allegan, which was something he loved. In his free time Bob enjoyed deer hunting, whether it be on his property, or up at the family cabin in Baldwin, fixing things in his garage, and spending time with his grandchildren. Bob is survived by his wife Kathy Kronke, Kalamazoo, sister Joan (Hiestand) Miller, Kalamazoo, daughter Darcy (Hiestand) Oswalt, Vicksburg, sons Robert (Alexis) Hiestand, Mattawan, Bradley (Jessica) Hiestand, Paw Paw, Matthew (Susan) Hiestand, Mattawan, and grandchildren Anna, Audrey, and Andrew Oswalt, Raegan, Xander, Delilah, Delaney Hiestand, and Arla Hiestand, as well as several nieces and nephews.  He is preceded in death by both his parents and his sister Mary Lou (Hiestand) Zettelmaier.