Robert (Bob) Charles Sloan passed away peacefully on September 5, 2023. He was born on January 9, 1935 to Philip and Pearl Sloan. He is preceded in death by the love of his life and high school sweetheart Barbara. Bob and Barb were married for 66 years and lived a wonderful and full life together raising their daughters, Breeze and Tressa.
Bob was born and raised on a farm. To grow and nurture anything from the land was his passion in life. In the summer of 1954 Bob participated in a “short course” program at Michigan State University designed to entice farm kids to further their agriculture education. Well, it worked for Bob. He was hooked and went on to earn his Bachelors, Masters and PHd at that institution. The first half of Bob’s career was spent working as a teacher, high school principal and eventually superintendent of schools in Alpena Michigan. The second half of his working life was back to his farming roots and passion. He, in partnership with his brother Jim, bought and operated a large hog farm along with many acres where they grew crops in Jonesville, Michigan. Bob went on to continue farming, raising pigs and building a grain elevator until he and Barbara retired and moved to their next 4 acre “farm” on Lake Macatawa in Holland, Michigan. At that time, he turned his passion to raising hundreds of varieties of hostas and woodworking. Always learning and “all in” with everything he did he leaves behind for family and friends many beautiful wooden works of art that he created.
Bob is survived by his treasured daughters, Breeze (Fritz) Ettl, Tressa (Mark) Mills; grandchildren, Zane and Sloan Dorr, Max Mills, Maggie (Jonathon) Wigger; great grandchildren, Mary and Micah Wigger: sisters, Dolly Plettenberg, Helen King, Nancy (Jay) Tuggle, Alice (Andy) Hoban and numerous nieces, nephews and extended family.
Bob is preceded in death by his parents, Philip and Pearl Sloan, his beloved wife Barbara and his brothers, Dean and Jim Sloan.
The family will hold a private memorial service to celebrate Bob’s life.
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