Robert Twa's Obituary
Mr. Robert George “Bob” Twa, age 91, passed away Tuesday, November 12, 2013 at a Muskegon hospital. He was born on February 22, 1922 in Crystal Falls, Michigan in the Upper Peninsula to the late Wesley and Angeline (Bouchard) Twa. Bob came to Muskegon, MI to work in 1945 and met Marjorie Vink. They married in 1946 at St. Mary’s Rectory in Spring Lake.
He attended Watersmeet High School and graduated in 1940. Bob enlisted in the U. S. Army Air Corps that same year and achieved the rank of Tech Sergeant as a Weather Technician in the 8th Army Air Corps and served in the North Atlantic. He received an Honorable Discharge in 1945. Bob and Marjorie later moved to McGrath in Alaska for five years to work as meteorologists for the U. S. Government. His work took him and his family to Sault Ste. Marie, MI and South Bend, IN and finally to Spring Lake, MI. Bob retired after a 33-year career as a meteorologist for the National Weather Service, NOAA at the Weather Bureau in Muskegon and during this time he received the Silver Medal Award from the US Department of Commerce. In the 1970s Bob started Bob Twa & Sons, a home remodeling business.
Bob served for over 50 years as a volunteer with the Boy Scouts of America and served as Assistant Scout Master of Troop 14 of Spring Lake as well as a District Commissioner in the Gerald R. Ford Council. He received the Silver Beaver Award for Distinguished Service to young people from the BSA and the District Award of Merit. He and Marjorie encouraged and assisted 10 sons to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest award earned in the Boy Scouts. He was also a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Spring Lake.
He loved to play Euchre in his garage with friends and family and was an avid tennis player well into his 80s. He also enjoyed hunting and fishing on Lake Michigan in his boat, “Marj’s Money”. He was the ultimate story-teller and always had a joke to whisper in your ear. Bob was part of the community efforts to have the first high school built in Spring Lake. He took a great deal of pride in his children’s and grandchildren’s achievements, activities, sporting events, performances, and scholastic successes.
Bob is survived by his wife Marjorie of 67 years; fourteen children, including eleven sons and three daughters: Doug (Carol), Kris (Jim) Wagar, Tim, Mark (Marilyn), Jeff (Mary), Theresa, Patrick (Bobbie), Paul (Jackie), Matthew (Rhonda), Rob (Tina), Jim (Becky), Mary (Dan) Borchers, Tom (Monica), and David Twa; 34 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by two sisters, Marjorie Koleski, and Patricia Green; and numerous nieces and nephews.
The Funeral Service for Bob will be held 11:00 AM Monday, November 18, 2013, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Spring Lake with Rev. Fr. Dan DePew officiating. Visitation with the family will be 2–5 PM Sunday, November 17, 2013 at the VanZantwick Bartels Kammeraad Funeral Home in Spring Lake and also one hour prior to the service at church. Interment will take place in Spring Lake Cemetery. Memorial contributions in memory of Bob can be given to Boy Scouts of America or Mary Seat of Wisdom - St. Mary’s School Building Campaign Fund. The family requests that you please bring photos or share memories on their online guest book at www.vbkfuneralhome.com.
The family is being served by VanZantwick Bartels Kammerad Funeral Home of Spring Lake.
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