Robert Foster Wollard

Bob was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, to Jack and Marge (Foster) Wollard. As their only child, he was cherished from the very beginning. Although their family was small, his parents surrounded him with a rich community of lifelong friends who became family. Throughout his childhood, Bob enjoyed the best of both worlds city life in Detroit and summers spent on his mother's family farm in Illinois. Those visits became treasured traditions, and as an adult he continued bringing his own family to the annual Dawson family reunion. The warmth, hospitality, and love of his Illinois relatives remained among his happiest memories.

Bob attended Denby High School in Detroit before enrolling at Alma College. In 1960, he left Michigan to attend Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, Virginia, where he earned his Master of Divinity. After completing his MDiv at seminary, he returned to Michigan, was ordained to the priesthood and served in the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan faithfully throughout his entire career, serving under four bishops.

Bob devoted his life's vocation to serving the Episcopal Church and the people entrusted to his care. His ministry included the Cathedral Church of St. Paul in Detroit, St. Columba Episcopal Church in Detroit, chaplaincy at Henry Ford Hospital, St. Gabriel's Episcopal Church in East Detroit, a cluster ministry serving St. Paul's in Gladwin, Holy Faith in Midland, and Grace Episcopal Church in Standish, and later served as chaplain at Canterbury on the Lake Senior Community in Waterford. He also served for many years as Field Education Coordinator for the Whitaker School of Theology, where his daughter Debbie had the distinct privilege of working alongside him. After his retirement he and Carole joined the community of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Waterford where he continued to offer his gifts as priest and teacher, musician and member.

The many ways Bob and his wife, Carole served both their local congregations and the Diocese of Michigan are too numerous to list. Bob was a gifted teacher, a captivating storyteller, and a preacher whose sermons touched hearts. He believed deeply in educating and empowering lay people and dedicated his life to helping others discover God's love. His pastoral care, compassion, and quiet presence left a lasting impression on countless lives.

Bob and Carole embraced every congregation they served with enthusiasm, generosity, and open hearts, raising their three children Marc, Debbie, and Paula in communities rooted in faith and service. They taught their children, largely through example, to be kind, generous, welcoming, and mindful of those who had fewer opportunities than they did. Bob never walked past someone in need. Whether offering a meal, a listening ear, or simple companionship - he lived from a place of abundance rather than scarcity. His generosity became one of his greatest gifts to his family.

Music was another lifelong passion. For more than forty years, Bob sang with an a cappella group called The Grunyons. They gathered nearly every Tuesday to rehearse their beautifully intricate harmonies, share laughter, and enjoy each other's friendship. The Grunyons performed wherever they were invited churches, weddings, community events and eagerly anticipated the annual Spring Sing, one of Bob's favorite events every year.

Bob and Carole shared an adventurous spirit and a love of learning. Together they took cooking classes, dance lessons, belonged to bowling leagues, attended euchre parties, roller skated, and found every opportunity to enjoy life with friends and family. After dance lessons, they would often come home, push aside the living room furniture, and teach their children the newest steps they had learned. Bob was also an avid reader and between the two of them, they have an extensive library.

Bob also played guitar and could happily belt out a tune on the recorder. One of his children's favorite memories was gathering around while he pulled out the well-worn green family songbook and led everyone in singing. A family favorite was "The Cat Came Back." Only years later did his children realize that on long family vacations, Dad often started sing-alongs as a creative way to distract everyone from sibling arguments.

Meals at Bob and Carole's home were never rushed. Guests were encouraged to linger around the table, sharing stories, laughter, and conversation long after dinner had ended. One cherished family tradition allowed each person to choose their birthday dinner, turning the entire kitchen into a family affair as everyone worked together to prepare the meal. One memorable year, everyone tackled homemade Chinese food a labor-intensive project that became as enjoyable as the delicious meal itself.

Bob was an animal lover extraordinaire. His famous meet the animal tactic was to sit right down on the floor with them, and let them crawl right onto his lap while he gave them “lovin’” Bob had pets from the time he was a young boy, starting with his first dog named Blackie and continued to offer sanctuary to rescue dogs and cats throughout his whole life.

Above all else, Bob treasured his family.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 51 years, Carole; his children, Marc (Heidi), Debbie, and Paula (Jeff); his grandchildren, Kevin (Emily), Chelsea (Max), Lauren (Bobby), and Aaron (Jordyn); and his six great-grandchildren, Colton, Anne, Lucy, Kate, Violet, and Sadie.

Bob delighted in each member of his family and rarely missed an opportunity to cheer them on. Whether attending baseball games, hockey games, dance recitals, cheer competitions, concerts, graduations, or family gatherings, he and Carole did everything they could to be present. Every hug was genuine, every visit treasured. His favorite words to each of them were, "I love you lots and lots and lots."

Bob was a natural storyteller and, before Alzheimer's, an astonishing source of trivia. His children competed to be on his team whenever Trivial Pursuit came off the shelf because they knew he seemed to know the answer to almost everything. His greatest legacy, however, was not his knowledge. It was the kindness, compassion, generosity, and love that shaped his life and continues to live on through his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and all who were fortunate enough to know him.

Bob passed away from complications of Alzheimer's disease. Although his world gradually became smaller, his kindness never faded. He continued to share warmth, affection, and gratitude with those who cared for him. If someone told Bob, "I love you," he would unfailingly smile and say it right back.

And if Bob could leave us with one last message, it would surely be the words he spoke so often to his family: "I love you lots and lots and lots."

And we would tell him: "Well done, good and faithful servant."