of Chelsea, Michigan, age 79, left his home and family to be with the Lord on Saturday, January 16, 2016. He was born February 4, 1936 in Chicago, Illinois, the son of George E. & Louise H. (Nagle) Strong.
Bob graduated from Proviso High School in Maywood, IL, graduated from Northwestern University, and spent two years at Dallas Theological Seminary. His faith was the most important thing in his life, and he served the Lord as an Elder at Immanuel Bible Church in Chelsea and as a volunteer for Gideons International. Bob was an engineer who worked for King Seeley, Chrysler (28 years), GT Products (10 years), and Eaton Corporation, all at the same location in Ann Arbor. He delighted in being involved in all his children's activities as they grew up, and continued the tradition with his grandchildren. He was a loving husband and father who used his time to serve His Lord and his family.
On May 25, 1963, he married Eleanor O. Spicer in Farmington, Michigan, and she survives. Other survivors include six children: Phoebe (Jeff) Harris of Chelsea, Luman (Tanya) of Chelsea, Charity (Jeff) Vander Laan of Holland, MI, Tobin (Kara) of South Lyon, Justin (Erin) of Cortland, OH, Burrill of Chelsea; 18 grandchildren, Gideon & Ottilia Harris, Selah, Boaz, Simeon, & Shadrach Strong, Clayton, Chloe, Lydia, & Garrett Vander Laan, Ezekiel, Solomon, Levi, & Ezra Strong, Malachi, Marina, Elisha, & Cora Strong. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Elinor Fitzpatrick.
Funeral services were held Thursday, January 21, 2:00 pm at the George Prinzing Auditorium in the Washington Street Education Center, Chelsea, with Pastors Dominic Aquilino and Ron Clark officiating. The family received friends at Cole Funeral Chapel Wednesday from 12-3:00 and 5-8:00 pm. Private burial will take place at Vermont Cemetery, Chelsea. Memorial contributions may be made to Gideons International, PO Box 140800, Nashville, TN 37214.