Robert Stasser

Robert John Stasser (aka Dad, Bobpa, Kid, Admiral, Captain Bob) passed away on August 13, 2026, at the age of 88, shortly after suffering a stroke.  Throughout the week prior, he was surrounded by his wife of 62 years, Carol, his daughters, Andrea (Rick) Baldwin, Eileen (Kevin) Mist and his son, Eric (Jennifer) Stasser.  Bob was born in Detroit, Michigan on July 27, 1938 to Francis and Katherine Stasser.  His fondest childhood memories were of summers at the family’s cottage on Cherry Beach in Marine City.  Throughout his life, he would recount stories of mischief and hijinks with siblings and friends along the St. Clair River.  Bob’s working career was varied, with an early highlight being a paperboy for the Detroit News near Ward Street, where he grew up.  He also spent time on Mackinac Island, a place he loved, as a dishwasher and busboy.  Upon graduating from the University of Detroit, with a degree in Spanish, he taught elementary school for a number of years.  A Master’s Degree in Library Sciences would allow him to work part-time in that field throughout his life.  Ultimately, he would accept a position with the MESC (Michigan Employment Security Commission) as a counselor in Port Huron.  He would rise through the ranks until he retired as the Branch Manager of the office in Bay City in 1991.  As Bob grew older, he would proudly say that he reached his goal of being retired for more years than he worked.  In his spare time, he dabbled with different hobbies like stamp collecting, painting & sketching and bike riding.  He enjoyed activities that involved language; like reading, doing crossword puzzles and Scrabble games with his wife.  His biggest passion, however, was for the water.  Bob sailed boats along the St. Clair River in his younger days and continued with that on the Saginaw Bay in later life.  His final home was located near the Saginaw River, where he would watch the boats and freighters sail out to the “big water”.  In addition to his immediate family, Bob is survived by three grandchildren, Christopher (Madalyn) Baldwin, Joel Mist and Lauren Mist.  This past winter, he became a great-grandfather, with the birth of Harper Baldwin.  Bob is also survived by siblings Ray, Patrick (Kathy) Stasser and Jane (Ridge) Kennedy.  He was preceded in death by his brother Dick (Peggy) Stasser, sister Mary (Jerry) Smith and sister-in-law, Patricia, Ray’s wife.  He will be deeply missed by his family, who loved his humor and conversation.  His quotes like “There’s always one”, “Isn’t that the limit, Helen”, “There’s nothing easy in this world” and “K” will live on in the family vocabulary.  Everyone also says “Sure” all of the time, as that was Bob’s response to any request from his kids or grandkids.  As per Bob’s wishes, a cremation has taken place and a small family memorial will be held at some point in the future.  Those wishing to remember Bob with a charitable donation might consider the Saginaw Bay Community Sailing Association (www.sbcsa.org), an organization that shares his love of the water with their mission to “make sailing affordable and accessible to adults and youths in the Great Lakes Bay Region”.