Robert Lee Outman

Robert (Bob) Lee Outman

July 20, 1934 – January 19, 2023

Bob was 88 years old when he went to be with the Lord on Thursday, January 19, 2023. He was surrounded by his family as he made his journey into paradise to be with his Lord and his wife Ginny.

Bob was born on July 20, 1934 to Carl Ray Outman Sr. and Lena Kate (Griffin) Outman at their home in Battle Creek, Michigan.

He graduated from Battle Creek Central High School in 1953. Bob met Ginny in their gym class when they were paired up for Square Dancing. Ginny told her mother that he was a geek. If Bob did not have gas for his car, he would walk the 10 miles from his house to Ginny’s house just to see her. On August 29, 1953 they were married and spent 68 years together until her death on September 27, 2021.

From the age of 13 years old Bob worked at area farms in the Pennfield and Bellevue areas. They were the McDermid’s Apple Orchard, The Hewitt and Ken Struin Farms. During high school he worked for the National Grocery Store in Battle Creek, Michigan. From 1953 to 1955 Bob worked for the Jennings Dairy. In 1955 Bob was accepted into Carpenter School which he attended until he was drafted into the U.S. Army on March13, 1957. He served active duty from 1957 to 1959 with the 118th Airborne Division. He was honorably discharged at the rank of SP4-E4 on March 12, 1959. He then served in the U.S. Army reserves from 1959 to 1960, and on standby from 1961 to 1962. He was awarded the Good Conduct Medal. After his discharge he returned to Carpenter School and finished his schooling in 1960. Bob worked 38 years as a carpenter, he worked for the G.O. Lewis Company in Battle Creek, Michigan, the Miller-Davis Company in Kalamazoo, Michigan, Clarks in Lansing Michigan, and Schweitzer’s in Battle Creek, Michigan. Bob retired on October 1, 1993. Bob was a member of Local 871 in Battle Creek, Michigan until the charter closed and he became a member of Local 525 in Kalamazoo, Michigan. In 2005, Bob received his 50-year union card making him a lifetime member.

Bob was a member of the Convis Union United Methodist Church in Battle Creek, Michigan for over 50 years. He was very active in the church’s functions. (Men’s society, Youth Group Leader, Coach of the Softball team, VBS, Dinners, Funeral Dinners and holding several different positions in the church.) in the 60’s Bob was a Boy Scout leader for Troop 96 that was based out of the church.

Bob was a very caring soul. Always putting others needs before his. He enjoyed volunteering. He volunteered at the Charitable Union helping to maintain the building, and the Calhoun County Fair (Bonnie and Clyde Building) preparing meals for the Fair workers. He helped with the dinners at the B.E. Henry Building in Marshall, Michigan. He helped with the Shared Dinners and the Trunk or Treat event at the Maple United Methodist Church. Bob and Ginny were the adopted grandparents for the Southwest Michigan Young Marines in Battle Creek, Michigan. On many occasions the unit would come to their property for encampments and they would prepare all the meals for the unit.

Along with volunteering, Bob enjoyed playing cribbage on Thursday nights and was a member of the National Cribbage Association, going on bus trips with his wife and traveling the United States, fishing trips to Canada where he could fish, watch the loons and enjoy nature. He enjoyed farming, gardening, and going hunting and fishing with the family. One of the biggest accomplishments Bob felt he achieved was the construction of his home that he built from scratch. He was very proud of his home. What brought Bob the most joy in life was his family. Watching his daughter, grandchildren, great grandchildren and the great great grandchildren grow up.

Bob is survived by his daughter, Robin (Terry) Halsey, five grandchildren; Daniel Ray Halsey, Terri Elizabeth Castro, Jennifer Ann Chaffins, Zachary Halsey and Nickole (Andrew) Carroll-Halsey-Evans, twelve great grandchildren; Brittany Halsey, Danielle Culp, Xander-Kia Halsey, Jessica Castro, Troy Castro, Steven Castro, Daniel Castro-Case, Ashlyn Halsey, Charles O’Connell, Westyn Halsey, Oaklynn Halsey and Emersyn Evans, six great great grandchildren; Zoey Shepard, Jarahmiah Pattinson, Amias Pattinson, Anthony Case, Nathaniel Case and Elias O’Connell and several nieces and nephews.

Bob was preceded in death by his beloved wife Vesta Virginia (Forehand) Outman, his parents Carl Ray Outman, Sr. and Lena Kate (Griffin) Outman, brothers; Donald E. Outman, Carl Ray Outman, Jr., sisters; Ethel J. Camp, Dortha Holden-Whitman, Julia Stevens Gladys VanWormer-Hollis, a great granddaughter Zoie Marie Carroll-Halsey and a great great grandson Levi Xavier (Castro) Chalfant.

Visitation for Bob will take place on Friday, January 27, 2023 from 4:00 – 7:00 pm at Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services 723 US Hwy 27 N, Marshall, Michigan 49068.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 28, 2023 at 10:00 am at the funeral home with Pastor Linda Stoddard officiating. The family will gather with friends following the funeral service in the Kempf Reception Center. Interment with military honors will follow the luncheon at Floral Lawn Memorial Gardens.

Memorial donations can be made to The Convis Union United Methodist Church (18990 12 Mile Rd. Battle Creek, MI 49014) or to Compassus Hospice (5220 Lovers Lane Ste. 130 Portage, MI 49002)

Please visit https://www.kempffuneralhome.com to view the online obituary, to sign the online guest book or to leave the family condolences.