Robert W. Poolman

POOLMAN, Robert W. "Bob"
of Portage Passed away on June 22, 2011, in Kalamazoo, with his family by his side. Bob was born on February 29, 1928, in Kalamazoo, to William and Anna Yonker Poolman. He was a life-long Kalamazoo resident, graduating from Kalamazoo Central High School, Class of 1946. He entered the United States Navy in 1946 and graduated from Aviation Electricians Mate School. He then transferred to the Naval Air Test Center at Patuxent River, Maryland, where he worked on many different types of aircraft including the newest jets. On December 17, 1952, he was united in marriage to Carol J. Snyder. This marriage was blessed with three sons, Scott Cathy, Brian Lori and Kevin Susan and these marriages were blessed with five grandchildren, Megan, Lauren and Andrew Poolman, Jessica Chris Hannie and Mark Synder. They were also blessed with five great-grandchildren, Cameron, Caleb and Kennedy Hannie, Emma and Brenden Snyder. Also surviving are his brother, Dick Marcia Poolman; a very special friend and special person in his life, JoAnn Haggard; and by his beloved Bishon puppy, B.J. Family was always a priority for Bob; he was a loving son, husband, father, grandfather and brother. Bob's wife Carol preceded him in death on July 17, 2007 after 54 years of marriage. Also an older brother Duane preceded him in death in 2000. After Bob's discharge from the Navy he worked for 22 years for the KVP Company, retiring as a beater room engineer. He then went to General Motors as a security officer in 1970, working there for over 22 years, moving up to Sgt. for the last 11 years of employment. He also served as the plant locksmith for those years. Together, Bob and Carol had four different motor homes and with these they traveled extensively visiting all the states but Delaware and North Dakota. They belonged to the Escapee R.V. Club of Livingston, Texas for about 10 years. They loved the RV life style and their many RV friends. He was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church. The family will receive friends from 9:00 to 11:00 AM on Saturday, June 25 at the Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Portage Chapel, 411 E. Centre Street, where a service to celebrate Bob's life will be held beginning at 11:00AM Saturday with Pastor Timothy Seeber officiating. Interment with full military honors will follow in Mt. Ever-Rest South Cemetery. The family requests in lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital or Borgess Visiting Nurse and Hospice.