Obituary of Robert E. Wendland

Wendland, Robert E. - Northville, Michigan, died peacefully on Friday, January 21, 2011, at the age of 84. Bob was born on April 6, 1926, in Bay City, Michigan. Bob attended the Riverside Military Academy in 1944. He then attended Alma College for two years in the U.S. Naval training program, then graduated from Miami University of Ohio in 1948. He served in the Korean War from 1951-1953 aboard the USS Bon Homme Richard aircraft carrier. Upon his return to Bay City he went to work for Hirschfield Steel. He eventually became the president of the Steel Service Central Division. He proudly served the company for 42 years until his retirement in 1996. Bob was an avid outdoorsman. He loved playing tennis and golf, but his true passions were hunting and fishing. Bob was a 33rd degree mason, a member of Ducks Unlimited, Trout Unlimited, Orvis Fly Fishing Club, the Bay City Country Club, and the Saginaw Country Club. He also served as a past president of the Cottage Grove Association at Higgins Lake. Bob was preceded in death by his first wife, Betty (Ford) of Bay City in 1958, daughter, Mary Jo in 1962, and second wife Catherine (Gudritz) in 2008. Bob is survived by his sons: Howard (Ellen) Wendland of Fort Myers, Florida, and Robert (Debbie) Wendland of Northville, Michigan; two step-sons: Tom (Justine) Gudritz of Northville, Michigan, John (Vicki) Gudritz of Suttons Bay, Michigan; and a step-daughter, Pam (Mark) Westphal of Memphis, Tennessee; 11 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Bob was also preceded in death by his brother, Richard and sister, Patricia. FUNERAL: Robert's Funeral Service will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 29, 2011, at Deisler Funeral Home, 2233 Hemmeter Road (off State), Saginaw, Michigan. Randall Zachman will officiate. Private interment will follow at Oakwood Cemetery. VISITATION: Friends are welcome to visit with the family at the funeral home on Saturday, January 29, 2011, from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the funeral service. MEMORIALS: Please share your thoughts and memories with the family at the funeral home or through www.deislerfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to: Michigan Trout Unlimited c/o Robb Smith 2114 7th St. Bay City, MI 48708 (989-893-3792) OR Ducks Unlimited c/o Todd Bishop Great Lakes Region 1220 Eisenhower Place Ann Arbor, MI 48108 (734-623-2000)