Robert M. Heavenrich, Jr. of Ann Arbor passed away peacefully on July 12, 2022 after a courageous battle with cancer.

Bob was born January 22, 1947, in Saginaw, Michigan, the son of Dr. Robert and Emily Heavenrich. Bob was a graduate of Culver Military Academy, Lawrence University and Western Michigan University, where he met his wife Diane of 49 years while studying for his master’s degree in physics. Bob worked for the federal government at agencies in Battle Creek and Washington, D.C., completing his career with the EPA at the Office of Transportation and Air Quality in Ann Arbor.

Bob’s hobbies overlapped to include a love of history, photography and anything having to do with trains, especially riding excursions pulled by a steam or a rare diesel locomotive. From childhood, Bob loved his summer vacations at Old Mission, Michigan on Grand Traverse Bay. As an avid Michigan football fan, Bob could be spotted around Ann Arbor wearing maize and blue.

Left to treasure his memory are his wife, Diane; his brother, Jim (Shelley Smithson); his sister, Polly (John Friedman); his nieces and nephews, Martha Friedman, Aaron Friedman, Alex Friedman, Karyn Alexander (William), Ben Heavenrich (Kara); and his great-nephews, Maxwell and Samuel Alexander.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to:

Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy

3860 North Long Lake Road, Suite D

Traverse City, MI 49684