Marquette, MI
Robert David Ganzel, age 74, of Marquette passed away on Friday, October 16, 2015 at the U.P. Health System in Marquette following a long courageous battle with Multiple Sclerosis.
Robert was born May 15, 1941 in Kalamazoo, Michigan, the son of Charles and Mary (Locey) Ganzel. Robert worked for the Harnischfeger Corporation in Escanaba, AMCA International in Memphis, Tennessee and finished up his career in Duluth, Minnesota. He served his country proudly in the United States Air Force and was a Vietnam War Veteran. He was a member of the Gladstone American Legion August Mattson Post 71. Robert loved baseball and was an avid Detroit Tigers fan. He was also a fan of the Detroit Lions and Michigan Wolverines and enjoyed playing softball, bowling and classical music. Most of all he was a loving father and enjoyed spending time with his family.
Robert is survived by his wife, Cheryl Ganzel of Gladstone; three sons, Jim (Dawn) of Gladstone, Charlie of Gladstone and Joe (Teresa) of Menlo, WA; his daughter, Christy (Edgar) Tyson of Gladstone; ten grandchildren, Sabrina, Dan, Kayla, Jaime, Robert, Sam, Isaac, Charlie, Jack and Kaitlyn; four great grandchildren; his mother; two sisters, Mary Lee (Doug) Champagne of Kalamazoo, MI and Sally (Jack) Dillon of California and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father, step-father, James VanderRoest and sisters, Cathy VanDyke and Carol Baccale.
The family will receive friends on Wednesday, October 21 from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM at the Skradski Funeral Home in Gladstone. Military Honors will be presented at 6:00 PM by the Gladstone American Legion August Mattson Post 71. Robert will be laid to rest in the Fort Custer National Cemetery in Battle Creek, Michigan on Monday, October 26 at 10:30 AM.
Bonny Brown
Dear Charlie and Christy, I’m so sorry to hear about your Dad. I’m just sorry I didn’t go see him lately. He was in my thoughts lately. Especially on Veterans Day. I know you didn’t always see eye to eye with him but he was a good man and I will miss him. May he rest in peace after such a long struggle. My prayers are with you. 🙁
Don Ritsema - Kalamazoo, MI
We were good friends and had some good times in high school. I remember many times walking on the ice to cross the lake to play ping pong at your house. Also our times on the baseball team. You will be missed. Prayers for your family.
Mel Starr - Schoolcraft, MI
I knew Robert when we were both students at the old Knollwood school. He was a good friend and we shared many interests. So sorry to learn of his struggle with MS.
James Ganzel - Gladstone, Mi
Its nice to see some stories of my dads childhood. He was a good man and i will miss him very much. I had not really thought about how much he loved to play ping pong until i seen the post by Don Ritsema. He continued to play well into adulthood i remember him being the post champion for several years in a row at the legion post in Redford Mi. I was lucky enough to get to play Softball with him for a few years. My lovely wife helped me give him two grandchildren. He lived long enough to see them grow up and graduate from collage. He was very proud of all of his grandchildren. He was very intelligent and went on to become a computer consultant for several companies specializing in CAD CAM. He served on the National Computer Graphics Association and was a Top executive in his field before M.S. forced him to retire early. We loved him very much.
Steve Foster - Fort Mill , SC
I just found out about your dad’s death. I am so sorry to hear of his passing. I knew Bob when he was with AMCA and his involvement with the National Computer Graphics Association (NCGA). He was really a great guy. I always thought of him over the years. My condolences to his family.