Uncle Bob was one in a million!

My memories of Uncle Bob are rather specific as he lived many miles south of his "home town". He was fondly referred to by my mother as her "baby brother". While there were way too few get-togethers with the entire Buttleman clan, the family stayed in touch with Grandma B's round robin.

What I remember most about Uncle Bob was his humor....and the stories he could tell. Much like his father DL Buttleman. His laughter and joy at life was contagious to all those around him. He could bring a smile to any face and light up the room with his presence.

One such encounter was when Jerry and I brought our son Scott to visit his great Uncle Bob at Hines VA Hospital center for the blind in the Chicago area. We had such a great time listening to his stories....especially when Uncle Bob and Jerry talked about their "navy" days. We were taken on a "guided tour" of the facilities by Uncle Bob and he showed us all the wonderful equipment and gadgets that would make his life just a little easier in the future. He stopped by an organ and started to play a song.....I was so surprised at his talent which I never knew about. He proudly introduced us to each resident we encountered on our tour and it was obvious to us that he was a pretty popular guy there at the VA!

My mother was just 10 years old when her brother Bob was born.....she and her older sister Mil argued about what color eyes the new baby would have.....Mil wanted brown and Ellowyn wished for blue. I believe they both got their wish....one of each color!

Another Bob story.....he was maybe 3 or 4 and was playing with my mother's doll while she was at school. He wasn't supposed to touch it, but just couldn't resist. Unfortunately, he dropped it and the head broke into many pieces. His mother glued it back together the best she could, but it was never the same. I still have my mother's doll which was glued together so many years ago.

Uncle Bob will be remembered by many family and friends as a man who truly lived his life to the fullest. He never let anything stop him from enjoying each moment and accomplished the ripe age of 93....something that neither his parents nor siblings ever did.

When I think about my Uncle Bob, I can't help but smile. He was truly a man who loved his family, his friends and most of all....life!

Your loving niece,
Sandy

From A Friend Of Nancy

What a privilege it was to have met Bob at Nancy's house one of the last times he was down here. I remember a warm, kind gentleman with pleasantly mischievous smile. From this wonderful tribute to his life, and from the stories Nancy has told over the years, I know he will be deeply missed. Please accept my sincere condolences. You all will remain in my prayers.

Claire Andrus

A Photographic Journey

Rkb in memory 2010

To see the slide show full screen, click on the Menu icon at the bottom left of the thumbnail.

Bob on the Piano - Nov 2009

Dad was concerned that his musical fingers would still work after his tumble down the stairs. Here's a little tune-test to find out. Playing the piano (and singing) was a joy for him, long after he lost interest in the nightly news and other worldly distractions.

They Say My Uncle Wondered

Now that Bob is gone,
'long with sisters and his brothers,
I have to look around,
Where are all the others?

They tell me that Bob wondered:
Who will be the next?

They're lookin' oh so young,
Yeah, life is slowin' down,
My how the time has flown,
No more going on the town,

They tell me that Bob wondered:
Who will be the next?

Scattered around in Texas,
There're some in California,
Lots in Michigan and Midwest,
A few moved down to Georgia.

They tell me that Bob wondered:
Who will be the next?

We can't all live forever,
But we should have no fear,
'Cause just across the river,
Love and joy is in the air.

They tell me that Bob wondered:
Who will be the next?

There're Buttlemans to replace us
When our time has come;
In the arms of Jesus,
We'll be welcome, every one.

They tell me that Bob wondered:
Who will be the next?

I can tell you that my father, Jack Lawrence, had great respect and love for Bob as they grew up together in Montague.Pop always said he would have never got through the high school math w/out Bob's help. Jack died in '98. Bob came to Atlanta and visited my mother, Maxyne (also 93) last year and she keeps a picture of she, Bob, me and my wife on her dining table.

Our thoughts and best wishes go to your family----David and Merrie Lawrence--Atlanta.

Memories of Uncle Bob

John 14:2-3 ²In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. ³And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

Uncle Bob and Aunt Alice certainly have a room in God’s mansion.

Over the years I didn’t have much personal contact with Uncle Bob as he was born 10 years before I was and left Montague, Michigan, for the navy when I was about 12 or 13. He had turned his paper route over to one of the Grow boys and I “inherited” the route when I was about 11. I was very proud to have “Uncle Bob’s paper route.” He did take time to send me “V-mail” while in the navy and I still have one of his letters written while in the Caribbean.

About 37 years later he and Aunt Alice together with all of his brothers and sisters came to our 1978 Buttleman family reunion in Montague. A happy time for the entire family!

And what a surprise when Uncle Bob flew down to Atlanta to visit us last May. We enjoyed the days of reminiscing about growing up in Montague, the people and places; had a long visit with his friends the Lawrences, who live nearby, and especially enjoyed getting out the church hymnal and singing some of the best of the old hymns for a couple of hours.

Possibly the most fun we had was calling and singing “Happy Birthday” to each other every year!

Great memories! Rest in peace, Uncle Bob.

Your nephew,

Louis Troughton

Robert by Todd Deatherage

The song "Robert" was written by Bob's grandson Todd for his 90th birthday in 2006. It holds even more tender meaning today. Thanks Todd! To hear Todd's song, click on "Read more" below.

Verse 1
He was born in 1916
In a town called Montague,
That's off Lake Michigan
North of Kalamazoo,
The winters were colored white
And his boots would give him blisters
When he walked to school with his brothers and his sisters. . .

In Memory by Jonathan Deatherage

June 3, 2010

“The LORD is great and certainly worthy of praise!
No one can fathom his greatness!
One generation will praise your deeds to another,
and tell about your mighty acts!
I will focus on your honor and majestic splendor,
and your amazing deeds!”(Psalm 145:3-5)

Today my grandfather died. He was 93 years old, and still full of life. His health had been slowly declining, and when he went unconscious last Friday, we all knew it was only a short time until he would pass.

It was not a surprise, but it is nonetheless difficult to see him go. For me, it is the passing of a giant.

Hospice of Cincinnati Blue Ash Facility

The last month of Dad's life could not have been managed without the compassionate and dignified care provided by the nurses, chaplains, volunteers, social workers, and medical director of the Blue Ash facility. We are forever grateful for the excellent care they provided for Dad all the way to his final moments.