Robert “Bob” Mulitz, age 80 of Holland passed away November 2, 2023.
A kind, honorable gentleman with a keen sense of humor and an appreciation of all things Motown, Robert (Bob) Mulitz was always quick to help and embrace others without reservation or judgement. Even during his fight to overcome one health issue after another during the past years, his determination and positive attitude never wavered. He was kind and gracious to everyone. He managed to keep smiling and as so many men of his generation, maintained that he was, “good”, even when those who knew him best knew better.
Bob was the loving, loyal husband of Marty Mulitz for 55 years, a doting father to his daughter Libby Mulitz and his son Robbie Mulitz, who died in 1983. His sister- and brother-in-law Nancy and Jay Horschak, nephew Eric Horschak and niece Amy Horschak; and great-niece Nikki Myrick, together with Marty, Libby and his many friends mourn his loss.
There are no words to express the gratitude his immediate family feels for the generosity and support they’ve received from their Idlewood neighbors and for the healthcare professionals’ compassion and commitment to Bob’s care.
Bob was born in Ontario, Canada, to Hungarian immigrants who instilled a strong work ethic in him and his sister Rosemary—the first generation in the family to graduate college.
The family moved to Hillsdale, Michigan where Bob’s mom, Mary, worked as the family cook for a prominent doctor and his dad, George, quickly discovered he disliked working as a farmer, hastening the family’s move to Detroit where jobs in the booming automotive industry were plentiful. George found work easily and often and claimed he was chosen above the rest because he was the tallest man in the crowd. Mary worked at a department store and George went on to become a skilled house painter for members of the Ford family and other wealthy entrepreneurs. One of Bob’s favorite memories of that time was seeing the Corvette parked under the Christmas tree at the Glancy home.
Bob’s dream of a college degree prompted him to take many jobs, including cleaning the glass chandeliers at the Eleanor Ford estate and a variety of factory and manual labor jobs, all of which strengthened his desire for a college degree that would secure him a full-time career.
After graduating co-valedictorian from Notre Dame High School, Bob attended the University of Michigan where he met the love of his life—Marty Logan—while he was working as the “Pots and Pans Man” in the kitchen of the Alpha Phi house. He would tell the story of their meeting with a sparkle in his eye as he recalled her in her pink fuzzy sweater, and she remembers him being sweaty, big, handsome and smiling.
1967 was a momentous year for Bob: He graduated with a BS in Industrial Engineering, IBM immediately hired the Detroit “Car Guy” as a Systems Engineer for automotive companies and major national corporations, and he got married and joined the National Guard.
One of few Systems Engineers in the country qualified to teach the leading computer language of the time, Bob also taught at Lawrence Tech while working at IBM. He loved telling his students that their PCs contained more RAM than all computers in the world combined when he started his career at IBM. He enjoyed his work and his IBM colleagues and retired after 30 years, returning as a consultant for 5 more years.
Bob and Marty married in Holland and had their reception at the Warm Friend and continued the festivities at Marty’s parents’ cottage on the lake—the same cottage Marty and Bob would make their home after Bob’s retirement from IBM and consulting in 2005.
Their daughter Libby was born in 1972 and their son Robbie, in 1977. In 1983 their dear radiant boy was diagnosed with cancer and died. Although Robbie’s illness and death broke their hearts it brought them closer together, their love strengthened by their love for their daughter and Bob’s steadfast presence as a father during and after Robbie’s illness.
Bob was pre-deceased by his sister, Rosemary Evans, brother-in-law, Steve; nephew Rick, and aunts, uncles and cousins, many of whom lived in Windsor, Ontario
A memorial service will take place at a later date.
