Robert “Bob” Heynssens

Resided in Gladstone, MI
Died May 22, 2024

Robert “Bob” Heynssens, 92, of Gladstone passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 22, 2024 at Lakeview Assisted Living in Gladstone.

Bob was born January 18, 1932 to Louis and Emma (Lippens) Heynssens.  He grew up in St. Nicholas and had nine sisters and one brother. Bob served 4 years in the US Air Force and fought in the Korean War. Several years later going on the Honor Flight to Washington, DC was a highlight to him.

In his early years he raced snowmobiles and won a lot of trophies. He enjoyed deer hunting and big game hunting, taking many trips to Colorado, Montana and Alaska. He shot a moose and a grizzly bear.

Bob installed carpet for several years, then opened Heynssens Selin’s Furniture and Carpet Store. He went on to buy a 60 unit hotel next to Bay College and then ventured out to Florida and had a company there called Cyber-Test.

His wife, Joyce of 52 years raised 5 children. Bob’s two, Alan (Amy) Heynssens, Lori (Tim) Peterson, Lisa (Lance) Welton was raised by her mother, three stepchildren, Deborah Tirschel, James (Barb) West and Janet West; 8 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren.

Bob and Joyce were avid motorhome people, traveling all over the US, Canada, Newfoundland and three times to Alaska.


The family wishes to extend their gratitude to Lakeview Assisted Living and UP Health System Home Care and Hospice for their caring support.


Bob’s wishes were to be cremated with graveside military services only which will be held on Friday, May 31 at 11:00 AM at the Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in Escanaba. Fr. Jamie Ziminski will officiate and Military Honors will be presented by the Gladstone American Legion Post 71.
In lieu of flowers donations can be directed to UP Health System Home Care and Hospice.

32 Tributes for “Robert “Bob” Heynssens”

    Dear Joyce sorry for your loss hope you are doing well and god bless for just being you. Love Jane

    Joyce and family-our thoughts and prayers are being sent to you. Bob was such a great personality. Always friendly and smiling. May he rest in peace.
    Gary and Kathy Maynard

    What an amazing man Uncle Bob was. ❤️I’m so thankful for every critter roast at which we were able to enjoy his company, all the family gatherings & Christmases when Lisa, Lori & their families would come up, and our visits over the past month & a half at Lakeview. His smile & suspenders are forever etched in our hearts! Rest in peace, Uncle Bob, and hug Tim & Sam for us. ❤️
    Sending love & prayers to all of you: Lisa/Lance/Andrew, Lori/Tim/Patti/Niya, Aunt Joyce, Alan/Amy, Jim-Janet-Debbie (& all their families).
    Love,
    Mark, Amber, Drew, & Morgan

    Bob will be sadly missed by so many. His uniqueness will be fondly remembered.
    We had such good times traveling together. Rest in Peace, Dozer.
    My condolences to Joyce and his entire family.

    I met Bob about 20 years ago when he went to Belgium for a family event. I immediately found him to be a cheerful and generous man. It was fascinating to hear about his life. A few years later, me and my parents flew to Michigan to visit him and Joyce. They were so kind to let us stay in their beautiful home. I will cherish these memories forever. Lots of love from Belgium.

    My Dad was a loving, caring man that that was always there for me. He did “raise” me – even though I lived a couple hours away. He was involved in every aspect of my life and my sons life. His kids and his only grandson are completely devastated that we were not called or communicated with regard to his funeral. Not one call. We all live all over the country – and need time to make arrangements for our commitments. His only grandson ( Andrew) has a business meeting in NYC next Thurs/Friday. My husband (Lance) is a jet pilot and has scheduled to fly his clients next weekend. My brother and sister in law are traveling to LA today to take their weekly rotation taking care of Amys sister with cancer. ONE week later we could all be there. HIs children have to miss his funeral – its is beyond incomprehensible that we would not be consulted and considered when making these arrangements. We love you Dad – and you will always be in our hearts. We will be there in spirit and forever loving you.

    Dear Joyce and family members,

    Our family really enjoyed Bob’s company, his jokes, his outlook on life and his friendship with our parents, Bob and Sally Brebner.

    Bob sure did enjoy life, appreciates you, Joyce and he sure did have a winning smile and dimples.

    Prayers for you Joyce in the coming months.

    Joyce, sorry to learn of Bob’s passing. You were a great companion to him through ‘thick & thin’, good times and struggling times. You both made a good team!! You folks are an ‘institution’ in the U.P. and Bob will be noticeably missed. Prayers to you and your family.

    Dad Heynssens’ spirit survives in his children’s lives. We are diverse and live at distances – but the feeling of connection and commonality that Dad imbued in each of us is enduring.

    Dad lives on in Lisa’s intelligence and strength; he lives on in Lori’s generosity and resilience; he lives on in Alan’s respect for nature and all people.

    Dad is reflected in Andrew’s accomplishments, and manifested in Sam’s love of life and family.

    Dad’s cathedral was never located in a building, but rather was found in the wonders of the natural world.

    He loved his children, friends, and community. Dad’s spirit is soaring with his beloved eagles.

    Alan and Amy love you forever.

    I will remember Bob with fond memories of
    a smiling face and laugh…such a positive man! I also loved his notorious suspenders. He will be missed. With love to Joyce.

    My condolences on Bobs passing Joyce, as a former Heynssens Selin’s employee of 19 years, I had the privilege of seeing Bob often while working for Dave Nemacheck . He did have a warm smile & those suspender. Peace be with you Joyce. Theresa Madden

    Lisa,
    Your message is heartbreaking. Your dad was so proud of his family! You, Alan, Lori & his grandsons were his favorite topic when we talked. I will miss our chats & reminiscing at the dental office.
    Love & Hugs old friend.
    Patty (Cannon) Geiken

    I’m going to miss Bob a lot. I looked up to him more as an older brother than the ex-brother-n-law that he was in reality. He was once married to my oldest sister Arlene; their kids Alan, Lori and Lisa growing up more as my siblings than my nieces and nephew. I lost close contact with him for many years, but had the joy of his camaraderie these last few years, mainly by telephone. He had so many attributes. He was born with inherent engineering and business acuity, never having been formally trained, he owned multiple businesses and was granted a patent for a truck loading device. I always admired his eye for quality and craftsmanship. He never settled for second best. He loved nature; feeding the deer in his yard and watching the eagles nesting in a nearby tree. Above all, he was generous to his family and friends. Rest in Peace Bob …. you did great!

    Joyce:

    Our sympathy to you and your family on Bob’s recent death. We always enjoyed chatting with you both when we saw you at the Buck Inn. He would always wave at us when he drove by our house. Our son Dan enjoyed visiting with both of you. Cherish the happy memories you have of Bob in your heart. We’ll miss his smiling face!

    Blessings to Joyce and all of their children and 2 more generations. I’m sorry there was no funeral so we could join friends and family and trade “Bob,” stories. We lived two doors away from Bob from 1968-1973. Wonderful years of boating and snowmobiling.
    I went from teaching/coaching to 28 years as an IBM salesman and marketing manager- in all that world I never met a better salesman than Bob!
    Rest in Peace wonderful friend.

    Bob was a wonderful man. He was one of my parents favorite people. They (Waren and Joyce Brule) traveled with them on many adventures. What great times the had!
    You will be missed! God bless you and your wife Joyce as well as all the children. God has a special place in heaven for you!

    Joyce our deepest sympathy to you and all the family. Bob was a one of a kind guy. He hired me at Heynssens -Selins when I returned to the Escanaba area after living in Honduras. He would stop in to visit after he sold the store and always have a hug for me and tell everyone how he hired me and what a great decision it was! ( I worked there for 44 years). His infectious smile and great story telling will always be remembered. (And in later years his suspenders) Gerry (my husband) loved to talk with Bob as they were both hunters and thinkers. I’m grateful to have known him.

    Knowing Bob and Joyce made wonderful memories of days when we met in our coaching life. These memories are used when we grow older as I hav e. my heart felt sympathy goes out to you.

    Joyce and family:
    Sorry to hear about Bob!
    “He watched over you in this life: and we believe he watches over you still!”
    Love and hugs:
    Linda and Dan

    Bob and Joyce were a very loving couple. I loved hearing his stories about growing up and dinners where he had to eat fast or he might not get any. He loved coming over for ribs and we really enjoyed their company. I will miss you Bob! Take care Joyce and I’ll be calling you!

    So many fond memories of Uncle Bob and Aunt Joyce. He was a great man and had many accomplishments. May he rest in peace and enjoy heaven. God Bless
    With Love and best wishes!
    Tina and Rich Huss

    Joyce so sorry to hear of Bob’s passing, you were a marriage made for each other.
    Bob was one of longest friendships in my life and stories that could be told forever.
    May you rest in peace my friend

    Gene Rita Royer

    We are so sorry to lose our dear friend Bob. He and Joyce have been wonderful friends for years. I can’t imagine how sad this is for Joyce and the family. Bob will truly be missed. Rest in peace dear friend.

    Bob was always very good to me, and the idea of the world not having him here is quite sad. He and his suspenders will always be a part of his lore and reputation as much as his view of the world. He always had a perspective that lead to answers. He thought outside the box and loved to discuss anything with passion. He told many jokes and designed many solutions to many things in the world, all with passion. He loved his family with the same passion and Joyce always had a way to direct him to the finer things in life. Manors or clothing or a gesture of peace, He loved Joyce and always looked at her as his beauty. Bob was one of a kind and loved my son Andrew and always willing to help anyone. He will be missed and may his whole family remember the blessings he gave to all.

    Dear Joyce and family. I am very sorry to hear about Bob’s passing. He was alot of fun to work for. He was very kind and loved his furniture business. I am sure he was caught off guard when my dad told him he would take the warehouse managers job only if he could take a nap at noon time! Thought and prayers to you and your family. David and Swede! And the stenlund family.

    Dear Aunt Joyce, Our condolences for you and the extended family. We all loved him, many memories of Snow mobiling , eating Moose burgers for breakfast and sleep overs with Tina, my sister and all the girls. Alan, too… He will be missed. My Mother, Laura absolutely loved her brother and spoke to him almost every week. Bob made my Mom laugh and revisit many fond memories. Take care remembering your beautiful and full life together.
    HUGS, Therese Rice

    Dear Aunt Joyce,
    Sorry about your loss and the families loss. I have many memories about my Uncle Bob. I Loved fishing with him in my youth on his first boat a Thompson in Little Bay. Great times with my cousin Alan ,and also Lori and Lisa. Many wonderful times at deer camp and other adventures back in the 70’s.
    Prayers are with you.
    Mark and Donna Heynssens

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