Robert V. Penning

PENNING, Robert V. "Bob"
of Kalamazoo Our gracious Lord and Savior called Bob to his eternal home Wednesday December 8, 2010. He was born November 18, 1923 in Grand Rapids, MI to William and Helene Ruster Penning. On October 1, 1948 he was united in marriage with Eleanor Ruth Bosker, who survives. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother William, who died in Italy during WWII, and sister-in-law, Marian Bosker Buckhout. Surviving besides his wife, Eleanor, are his three children, Mary Kurt Hansen of Middletown, N.J., David R. Penning of Kalamazoo and Linda Daniel Klok also of Kalamazoo; four grandsons, Joshua Hansen, Joseph Klok, Michael Klok and Jonathan Klok; and granddaughter, Abbie Hansen; a sister Muriel Kloosterman of Kalamazoo, along with a niece and several nephews. Bob's close friends, brothers-in-law John Buckhout and Ron Kloosterman. Bob was a graduate of Kalamazoo Central High School where he was an accomplished trumpeter in the High School's band and orchestra. He served in WWII as an MP in the European Theatre, and using his musical skills, became a bugle boy of Company B. He later performed with the Kalamazoo Symphonies. Upon returning home from WWII, Bob purchased The Tot Shop from his father in 1952. He later changed the name to The Tot To Teen Village. Bob devoted his time to the store until his retirement in 2000. It was during his years in the service that Bob developed a love for travel. He traveled with family and friends to China, South America, Africa, Antarctica and virtually every place in between. A longtime faithful member of Third Christian Reformed Church of Kalamazoo. Bob served as a deacon and chair of the building committee during the building of the new sanctuary. A Funeral service will be conducted at 2:30P.M. Saturday, December 11, 2010 at the Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Westside Chapel, 2926 S. 9th St. with Rev. Dr. Kenneth Baker, officiating. A private interment will take place at Mt. Ever-Rest Cemetery. Family will receive friends at the Westside Chapel on Friday from 2-4 PM and 6-8 PM. Memorials may be directed to Third Christian Reformed Church, Building fund or to the Alzheimer's Association. Please see www.langelands.com for online obituary, directions, register book and condolences. 343-1508