Robert "Bob" Klimkowski

Robert Stanley Klimkowski of Unionville, ago 80, passed away on Thursday, October 28, 2021 at the University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor. Bob Klimkowski lived life on his terms. He was born in Detroit on July 8, 1941 to Clara Pluto and Stanley Klimkowski. As a young boy, he was easy going and smart as a whip. These traits followed him his entire life. Bob was raised by his mom and stepdad, Jess Story. As a teenager, he set pins at the local bowling alley and worked after school at the Old Brown Dairy in Sebewaing. After graduating from Sebewaing High School in 1959, Bob enlisted in the U.S. Air Force where he served as a medic. He was stationed in New Orleans, Louisiana; a place he returned to many times. Try as they might, the Air Force couldn't convince him to stay and become a doctor. Bob served his time and headed back to Michigan. He eventually moved to Flint, where he stayed for a couple years. Although Bob was content living the bachelor life and roaming freely, he returned to Sebewaing where he met the love of his life, Susie Ballard. They were two peas in a pod and a perfect fit for each other. Together they had one son, Christopher, and three beautiful daughters, Teresa and unexpected twins, Kelly, and Kathy. Bob and Susie were notorious for having fun together. Listening to CCR always brought them to the dance floor. Bob had his own "unique" style of dancing that brought smiles and laughter to anybody watching. The two of them didn't care, it made them happy, this was something they did all their lives! Bob finally settled down and became the responsible husband. He worked for a while at Sebewaing Industries, alongside three of his brothers. Then an opportunity came to go work at Bay City Dow, now SE Johnson, and he took it. He retired from there many years later. After retirement, Bob and Susie spent every day together. Susie in her many flowers and Bob grumbling about the new bulbs she bought, as he helped her plant them. In his younger years, Bob hunted and fished with his brothers and later with his in-laws. His real passion was in reading; two and three books a week; this was something he did every day, read, read, read! His daughters bought him a Kindle and it was his favorite, very favorite tool. Talk to Bob about any subject and he could keep that conversation going. He lost his cherished Susie to cancer in 2017, a sadness he could never get over, he missed her terribly. His family tried to make up for that loss by keeping him on his toes. On October 28, 2021, God decided he made Bob suffer enough and called him home to join his beloved Susie. Unfortunately, he also met his daughter Kelly who died exactly one month earlier. His surviving children will mourn him forever and know that their Dad is happy in heaven with his one true love. From now on when they hear the thunder, they'll know it's mom and dad rockin' out to CCR. Robert S. Klimkowski is survived by his children, Teresa (Mike Will), Kathy, and Christopher; siblings, Jim, Terry, Linda (John) Shope, and Luanne also grieve his loss, along with in-laws, Gary, Tom, Brad Ballard, and Diane Schember, and many nieces, nephews, and friends. Numerous Ballard in-laws, Bill, Joe, Betty Sy, Peggy Rinnert, Pat, Kay, along with his brother, Randy Story, and brother-in-law, Chuck Sylla, and his parents and mother-in-law and father-in-law, all greeted him at heaven's gate. Bob's wishes were to be cremated and buried with his most treasured wife, Susie. A Memorial in his honor and with his daughter Kelly, will take place at a later date. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorial contributions made in his name to the American Cancer Society or the Autistic Foundation.