Robert Bobby Elliott Helman

HELMAN, Robert Bobby Elliott
Kalamazoo, Michigan Bobby passed away at the University of Michigan Medical Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan on March 13, 2008, surrounded by his loving family, after a brave and courageous battle with cancer. He was the son of Joseph and Lillian Helman and was born in New York City on August 20, 1947. He was preceded in death by his parents and a special mother-in-law Lillian Bielang. Bobby graduated from Western Military Academy in Alton, Illinois, attended Oakland Community College in Farmington Hills, Michigan and University of Detroit in Detroit, Michigan. He began his career at The Upjohn Company and was employed there for seventeen years prior to starting his own business, Paintwell Designs. Bobby had a passion for playing in his workshop affectionately known as "The Taj Garage". He was able to enjoy his hobbies of art and model railroading and doing whatever it was that Bobby did in "Bobby's World". He also enjoyed collecting and driving his antique cars, fishing with his friends of 30 years, Captain Snoid Billy, Captain Trout Rob, and Captain Jim - Bobby was Captain Pike. He also immensely enjoyed nature, gardening and traveling. Bobby was known for his patience, gentle soul, creativity, sense of humor and wit, and his big heart. His most recent joy was the birth of his grandson, Austin. While battling cancer his constant friends and caregivers Merwin and Kristy Wittum were at his side. Bobby is survived by his wife Diane to whom he was married on April 8, 1983; his son and daughter-in-law Aaron and Kelly Helman; grandson Austin Helman, Denver, Colorado; and Aaron's mother Jan Alexander, Pine Island, Florida; sister and brother-in- law Candy and Gary Frenkel, Waterford, Michigan; sister and brother-in-law Penny and Stuart Avig, Farmington Hills, Michigan; brother-in-law Mark Bielang and his wife Pam, Paw Paw, Michigan; and sister-in-law Eva Ticknor and her husband Verne, South Haven, Michigan; nieces Andrea and Becky Bielang, Stephanie Ticknor and Joanna Acosta; nephews Adam Bielang, Darren and Scott Avig, and Brad Gutov; great nieces Ariel and Kelsey Acosta; also many cousins, special friends and extended family by whom he will be greatly missed. You can rest assured that Bobby will be continuing his work in "The Taj Garage". The family will receive friends on Tuesday, March 18, from 2-3 PM at the Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Westside Chapel, 3926 South 9th Street, where a service to celebrate Bobby's life will be held beginning at 3:00 PM Tuesday with Pastor James Dyke officiating. For those who wish to make a memorial contribution in Bobby's memory may direct memorials to Hospice Care of SW Michigan.