Robert "Bob" J. Arndt III

Bob Arndt was a loving husband and proud father. A family man through and through, his family meant the world to him. He had an innate connection with nature and enjoyed many trips to the northern parts of Michigan's lower peninsula and was especially fond of Roscommon. Bob had genuine compassion for people and his easy going personality made nearly every person he met feel like they had known him for years. Gone too soon, Bob leaves behind a wonderful legacy of living life to the fullest and never taking life too seriously. He will be deeply missed for his warm sense of humor and for the unconditional love and support he gave to all who knew and loved him. Bob's life begins during a time in our nation's history known for the launch of the Space Shuttle program, the introduction of Digital watches and the first hand-held scientific calculator, the HP-35. The Volkswagen Beetle became the most popular car ever sold and Atari kicked off the first generation of video games with the release of Pong. While most American's were focused on the results of Nixon's Watergate scandal, Robert and Karen (Korakas) Arndt welcomed home their second child, a baby boy they named, Robert on November 6, 1972, in Vicksburg, Michigan. Joining his older sister, Tara, his birth brought much hope and happiness into the family home. Growing up in Schoolcraft, Bob lived a typical childhood of the times. He was well liked by his classmates and enjoyed countless hours hanging out with his neighborhood friends. His parents were later divorced and remarried adding three step-siblings to the mix. With five teens around the house, there was never a dull moment! They had their fair share of arguments and adjustments but all in all, Bob treated them like blood. He was a cross country runner and basketball player while keeping up with his studies and social life. Typical of teens his age, he was a Nascar fan and favored the racer, Mark Martin. Graduating with the Class of 1992 from Schoolcraft High School he entered into the world of work. He was proud to join his dad and Uncle Tim at the South Kalamazoo County Fire Authority. It was no surprise that Bob fit right in and his work ethic was undeniable. There wasn't anything he wouldn't do for any brother from his crew nor anything that he wasn't willing to learn. He gave so much of himself to the fire department for a remarkable nineteen years. Not to be forgotten was the year 1993 that would change the course of his life forever! During a hot July summer, he reconnected with a high school friend, Dawn Hatfield. Sharing so much in common and both ready to settle down they started planning a wedding for July 15, 1995. During the course of the next few years, the happy couple welcomed two wonderful children, Cody and Natalie to share in their life journey. They treasured their years of raising them with the same work ethic and strong values they had as children. Nothing brought Bob greater joy than sharing in their successes over the years. His children were his greatest asset and he often boasted about them with his fellow colleagues, relatives, or anyone within earshot! Bob wanted them to live with the same types of freedoms that he enjoyed as a young adolescent and enjoyed sharing with them his many favorite pastimes. Although Bob was considered fun-loving and personable, he also chose carefully those he let get close to him. Some of his favorite hobbies and dreams he kept to himself. Many people, for instance, had no idea that Bob loved to draw. He loved to sketch and capture many of his unique observations about the world around him. Lucky for Dawn, he was also an exceptional cook especially when it came to grilling. By 2011, his ultimate dream job came true and he left his work as a local factory worker to drive a semi-truck for Steve Smith of SSS Farms. Bob had a positive energy about him and he never let an opportunity pass him by. Never one to hold a grudge or take a single day of his life for granted, he modeled for his loved ones and many special friends the meaning of friendship as well as integrity. May they find peace in knowing that his love for them is eternal and share his memory for generations to come. Robert "Bob" Arndt III, of Vicksburg, passed away on Tuesday, March 12, 2019, at the age of 46. He is survived by his wife of 23 years, Dawn; two children: Cody (Devin Uren-Price) Arndt, of Westland and Natalie Arndt, of Vicksburg. He is also survived by his parents: Robert J Arndt, of Schoolcraft and Karen Korakas, of Toledo, OH; four siblings: Tara (Gregg) Leavell, of Battle Creek; Kim (Steve) Shafer, of Decatur; Brad Hull, of Leonidas; and Bryan (Tim Vancha) Hull, of Zephyrhills, FL; nieces and nephews: Dante Leavell, Drew Leavell, Tagan Pollock, Trent and Nicole Marnell, Stephen Hull, Josh Hull, Hannah Hull, and Katelyn Hatfield; mother and father-in-laws: Donald and Judith Hatfield, of Galion, OH; sister-in-law: Melissa Hatfield, of Galion, OH; two brother-in-laws: Eric (Rick Fournier) Hatfield, of Mansfield, OH; and Kevin Hatfield, of Marcellus; special cousin, Jodi Campbell, of Schoolcraft. Preceded in death by Aunt Nancy and Uncle Tim-Tom Campbell, and Uncle Jerry Burch. The family will receive friends on Friday from 4 to 7 pm at the McCowen & Secord Family Funeral Home, Rupert-Durham Chapel, 409 S. Main, Vicksburg (269-649-1697) and on Saturday one hour prior to the service at the church. The funeral service will be held on Saturday, March 16th at 11 am at the Chapman Memorial Church of the Nazarene, 7520 East U Ave, Vicksburg, MI. Burial will be at Schoolcraft Cemetery. Please visit Bobby's webpage at www.mccowensecord.com where you can sign the guestbook and share a memory. Those who wish may make a memorial contribution to Heartland Hospice and/or South Kalamazoo County Fire Authority.