Robert "Bob" Dougall's Obituary
Robert Kenneth Dougall (Bob), age 92, died peacefully at home on Thursday, November 26, 2020.
Born in Valparaiso, Indiana to William P. Dougall and Edna M. Glockling Dougall, Bob was preceded in his death by his parents; two older brothers, Bill and Jack; and his long time chair buddy, Oliver The Cat.
A Valparaiso High School graduate, Bob joined the US Navy in Oct. 1945. He served as an Aviation Machinist until Dec. 1948.
Bob earned a Mechanical Engineering Degree from Valparaiso University in 1958. He paid for his college education by working as a janitor for a local apartment complex and roomed in the building’s boiler room. With no mailing address, he received his mail at the local bar.
Employed at McGill Mfg in Valparaiso for six years before moving the family to Michigan in 1964 to begin employment with Kaydon Engineering, Bob worked as a Chief Product Engineer until his retirement in 1984.
As a volunteer coach for Tri-Cities Little League Baseball, Bob’s team won the 1970 Bantam League Championship. Bob always acknowledged that he had outstanding players on this team.
At home, Bob was master of home improvement and auto repair. Carpentry, electrical, plumbing and all things mechanical were within his purview, although, in his later years, his wife Kay was advised that she “might want to hide the Gorilla Glue”.
Bob loved music and literature. He sang with the Cosmopolitan Male Singers of Muskegon, had an extensive collection of records, taught himself to play the harmonica and ukulele — including a brave attempt to master the bagpipes — could recite the poetry of Blake, Wordsworth or Hardy, perform a fierce soliloquy from Macbeth and always had a limerick at the ready.
A people person, Bob loved to talk to anyone he met, whether at work, while traveling, or at the grocery store. He made long lasting friendships with people from all walks of life and across many generations. Possessing a keen intelligence and quick wit, he will be missed by many. On April 25, 1959, Bob made perhaps the best decision of his life by marrying Marilynn Kay Wallace. Together they made a great team. Bob and Kay were together for 62 years. They raised a great family, navigated all the ups and downs of a life that was well lived, and kept true to the promise of loving one another in sickness and in health.
Bob is survived by his wife Kay, children Dorin Leigh (John), Ryan (Marlene), Giffort, and Triston, grandchildren Tara, Lauren, and Denaye, and several great-grandchildren, cousins, nieces and nephews.
To see the World in a Grain of Sand and a Heaven in a Wildflower Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand and Eternity in an hour - William Blake
A celebration of Bob’s life will take place next spring. Memorial contributions in memory of Bob may be given to Alzheimer’s Association or the American Cancer Society. Please sign the family’s online guestbook at http://www.sytsemafh.com.
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