Bob Henderson

Bob Henderson was a hard-working family man with a tough exterior and a soft interior. He regarded his family as his greatest treasure, and he worked the third shift for twenty-seven years to provide for them. Bob was a devoted member of the Masons and the Star, and each day he worked hard to further their cause.

With the crash of the stock market, the Great Depression spread throughout the country. The 1930’s emerged as a decade of mass unemployment, labor protests, and universal hardship. In Berrien Springs, Michigan, Frank Henderson and his wife Lola maintained their optimistic spirit by focusing on a different future, the future of their family. They adopted a young child named Bob, who was born on May 18, 1931.

The youngest of four children, Bob grew up in Berrien Springs with the company of his siblings Evelyn, Tootie, and Clinton. Although his siblings were many years older, Bob formed valuable friendships with all of them, especially Clinton. Bob attended the local public high school where he played on the football team. During the fall season he started a conversation with Barbara Brigham, who was a cheerleader at their school. He offered to give her a ride to the game. This marked the beginning of a three year courtship that ended with marriage on October 18, 1952.

After high school, in 1951, Bob joined the United States Air Force to serve in the Korean Conflict. During his years in the service he and Barbara lived in married housing in California. Following his discharge, the young couple returned to Michigan.

Bob and Barbara were blessed with four wonderful children, Scott, Lurinda, Todd, and Leslie. Bob was a strict but loving father who worked hard to provide for his growing family. When General Motors opened their plant in Kalmamazoo, he was the second person to be hired. He worked at General Motors as a security officer from 1965 to 1993. By working the third shift, Bob missed out on a lot of family time. Dinner was always a special occasion, and each night the entire family gathered around the table to eat, laugh, and share their stories from the day.

In 1970 Bob and his family moved into the house at 348 Cedar Street in Schoolcraft. This home provided the setting for many wonderful family memories. Vacations were also a special time. The Hendersons always traveled in their motor home, visiting many parts of the country including Florida. The children fondly remember exploring caves and hunting for rubies and sapphires. The kids also remember great family times in their kitchen canning many kinds of fruits and vegetables.

The Eastern Star and The Masons were an important part of Bob and Barbara’s life. They were members of the Portage-Brady Lodge # 340 F. & A.M. and Lotus Lily United # 262 O.E. S. Bob was very active in both organizations, and he and Barbara formed many valuable friendships with their fellow members. For many years Bob and Barbara worked countless hours for the peanut brittle fund raiser, not only selling it but making it in the kitchen at the masonic home in Portage. Bob became an expert chef in the making of this tasty delight. Throughout the years Bob served in several different capacities, including Michigan International Grand Represent to Manitoba for the Order of the Eastern Star. Their involvement literally took them around the world when Barbara was selected as the International Representative to Australia. The Star and the Mason were literally a labor of love.

The greatest day in Bob’s life was his marriage to Barbara. After fifty wonderful years together, Barbara passed away on February 28, 2003. Bob worked through his grief by staying busy with the Masons and the Star. He also continued to travel, though he no longer used the motor home. Instead he went on bus trips with the Michiganders. In his spare time he enjoyed watching golf and NASCAR, solving word searches, and playing cards, especially cribbage.

Bob was a loving husband and father who worked hard each day to provide for his family. Among his family and friends, he will be greatly missed and frequently remembered.

Bob Henderson died at his home on Tuesday, July 24, 2007. Learn more about Bob, view his Life Story film, and visit with his family and friends Thursday from 6-8 and Friday from 2-4 and 6-8 at the Life Story Funeral Home, RDMG , Vicksburg, 409 S. Main. Masonic rites will be conducted by the Portage- Brady Lodge #340 F.&A.M. Friday evening. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at the same location. Members of Bob’s family include his 4 children: Scott, Lurinda and her husband Jon Shrauger, Todd and his wife Julie, and Leslie, 3 grandchildren: Joel, Hannah, and Chris. Please visit Bob’s memory page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you can archive a favorite memory or photo, sign his memory book online before coming to the funeral home or make a memorial donation to the Lotus Lily United # 262 O.E. S.