Robert "Bob" Otto Heinlein

Robert “Bob” Otto Heinlein, 90, of Vassar passed away on Sunday, January 25, 2026, at Harper Hospital in Detroit, Michigan. Bob was born on May 24, 1935, in Bay City, to the late Robert George and Hulda (Bublitz) Heinlein and was a 1953 graduate of Central High School in Bay City. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1957 and proudly served his country until his honorable discharge in 1959. Prior to his service, Bob began work for Dunlop Pontiac, Inc. and after his time in the military he continued his employment with the company as a front-end specialist until his retirement. He married Faith Seney on February 26, 1966. She survives him. In his free time, Bob’s hands were either covered in soil from his organic garden, sawdust from his woodshop, or grease from the many cars he worked on throughout the years. He had a knack for explaining complicated things in simple terms and always made sure his family was taken care of. Bob was a great cook and baker and enjoyed time fishing on the Saginaw Bay and Cass River in his younger years. He is remembered as a hardworking and dedicated family man who would do anything he could for his friends and family.

Bob is survived by his loving wife, Faith Heinlein; daughters, Sarah (Tom) Reid and Hannah (Norm) Howard; grandchildren, Hunter Reid, Michael Reid, Zachary Denniston, and Nathaniel (Emma) Howard; and sisters, Frances Davis and Linda Caspers; as well as many nieces, nephews, other family members, and friends.

Bob was preceded in death by an infant brother; brothers-in-law, Donald Davis and John Caspers; and cousin and adoptive brother Charlie Bublitz.

A memorial service celebrating Bob’s life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at St. Michael Lutheran Church, 3455 South Van Buren Road, Richville, with Rev. Wes Gillaspie presiding. A luncheon will follow the service at the church hall. Visitation will take place at the church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. Memorials may be made to St. Michael’s Memorial Fund.