This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: WHL44 Surnames: HELMAN, BIELANG, ALEXANDER, FRENKEL, AVIG, TICKNOR, ACOSTA, GUTOV Classification: obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.michigan.counties.kalamazoo/22498/mb.ashx Message Board Post: HELMAN, Rober (Bobby) Elliott Of Kalamazoo Bobby passed away at the University of Michigan Medical Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan on March 13, 2008, surrounded by his loving family, after a brave and courageous battle with cancer. He was the son of Joseph and Lillian Helman and was born in New York City on August 20, 1947. He was preceded in death by his parents and a special mother-in-law, Lillian Bielang. Bobby graduated from Western Military Academy in Alton, Illinois, attended Oakland Community College in Farmington Hills, Michigan and University of Detroit in Detroit, Michigan. He began his career at The Upjohn Company and was employed there for 17 years prior to starting his own business, Paintwell Designs. Bobby had a passion for playing in his workshop (affectionately known as "The Taj Garage"). He was able to enjoy his hobbies of art and model railroading and doing whatever it was that Bobby did in "Bobby's World". He also enjoyed collecting and driving his antique cars, fishing with his friends of 30 years, ! Captain Snoid (Billy), Captain Trout (Rob) and Captain (Jim)- (Bobby was Captain Pike). He also immensely enjoyed nature, gardening and traveling. Bobby was known for his patience, gentle soul, creativity, sense of humor, wit and his big heart. His most recent joy was the birth of his grandson, Austin. While battling cancer his constant friends and caregivers, Merwin and Kristy Wittum, were at his side. Bobby is survived by his wife, Diane, to whom he was married on April 8, 1983; his son and daughter-in-law, Aaron and Kelly Helman; grandson, Austin Helman, Denver, Colorado and Aaron's mother, Jan Alexander, Pine Island, Florida; sister and brother-in-law, Candy and Gary Frenkel, Waterford, Michigan; sister and brother-in-law, Penny and Stuart Avig, Farmington Hills, Michigan; brother-in-law, Mark Bielang and his wife, Pam, Paw Paw, Michigan and sister-in-law, Eva Ticknor and her husband, Verne, South Haven, Michigan; nieces, Andrea and Becky Bielang, Stephanie Ticknor and ! Joanna Acosta; nephews, Adam Bielang, Darren and Scott Avig, and Brad Gutov; great- nieces, Ariel and Kelsey Acosta; also many cousins, special friends and extended family by whom he will be greatly missed. You can rest assured that Bobby will be continuing his work in "The Taj Garage". The family will receive friends on Tuesday, March 18th from 2-3 PM at the Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Westside Chapel, 3926 South 9th Street, where a service to celebrate Bobby's life will be held beginning at 3:00 PM Tuesday with Pastor James Dyke, officiating. For those who wish to make a memorial contribution in Bobby's memory may direct memorials to Hospice Care of S.W. Michigan. 269-343-1508 www.langelands.com Published in the Kalamazoo Gazette on 3/16/2008. (Posted by a VOLUNTEER-NO family connection) Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.