Robert Eugene Tickner
July 30, 1935 - May 19, 2006

A moment that is left idle is one less chance we will have to make an impression and change the lives of those around us. This is how Robert "Tick" Tickner lived everyday, from the moments he spent enjoying his family, to the years he spent in dedicated service to his country and his fellow man, Bob never let a moment go to waste. At first glance he may have seemed a bit reserved, but given the chance, his great sense of humor and friendly personality would shine through. And if you got the chance to know him, you would soon see a man who valued his family, had deep moral conviction, and generously dedicated himself to serving others.

Robert Tickner's story begins near the banks of the Grand River, not far from the shores of sparkling Lake Michigan, in the city of Spring Lake, Michigan. It was on July 30, 1935 that Robert was born to Edmund and Marjorie Tickner. The world was on the cusp of a major world war. By the time Bob would enter elementary school, Europe would be ravaged by WWII and the United States' involvement in the conflict was nearly inevitable.

While Bob was growing up, the Tickner family owned ceramic shop and custom cabinet and wood/furniture business located together in a factory. Bob's father designed custom wood pieces and created molds for the ceramic business, while his mother divided her time between being a homemaker and working at the ceramic shop.

The family home where Bob and his brother Larry grew up was located in Spring Lake and, living near more than one lake and a river, a love of the outdoors was almost inevitable. In the summer, Bob spent his time wind sailing, while in the winter it was ice sailing that he enjoyed. Childhood memories of sailing and boating and simply being with family and friends would color Bob's thoughts for the rest of his life. Three days before his eighteenth birthday, Bob graduated from Zeeland High School and was drafted into the United States Army. Not being of age just yet posed a problem for the government, but not one large enough that they couldn't get around it. It took a judge and a court order to get Bob on his way to basic training and a career in the military. Over the next 28 years Bob received training from several military schools and was active not only in the United States Army but also in the Navy Seabees, the Air Force, and the National Guard. Bob's service to his country began in the last days of the Korean War, spanned the years of the Vietnam War, and didn't end when he retired from the military as a Staff Sergeant for the Army and Army Reserves.

Although his time in the armed services was coming to an end, the same man that firmly declared, "I will never become a politician!" had only begun his active duty. Over the years that followed Bob became a lobbyist, twice served as the 5th District Commander of Ottawa County, was the Vice Department Commander for the State of Michigan American Legion, and somewhere, between all of these political commitments, found the time to volunteer at the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans. No matter what branch, department, or administration Bob was obligated to, he had integrity that was firmly rooted in conviction, and never swayed from what was right, even if it went against popular opinion.

It may have helped that Bob had staunch supporters at home, who loved him unconditionally. On August 23, 1980 Bob had married his sweetheart Nancy Courey, in Grand Haven. Proving it is never too late for love, or to settle down for that matter, at the age of forty-five, Bob found happiness with his new wife, Nancy. Bob had one daughter with his wife, named Tammy, and one step-daughter, Sherry. He was loved his girls. He was a terrific father, and taught the girls that a little bit of laughter could cure just about anything. Vacations were always a special time for not only the kids, but also for Bob, who got so much pleasure whisking his family away from their everyday lives for a little rest and relaxation. Bob was close to all of his family, especially his daughter, Tammy, and the day of his grandson's passing was truly a day filled with deep sorrow and mourning.

In the early 90s, Bob began another career, this time as the Maintenance Director for Grand Haven Christian School's Building and Grounds. The training he had received throughout his life had prepared him for just about any career, not to mention that he could operate almost any type of heavy equipment. When he retired in August of 2003, he wasted little time before jumping right back into community involvement and political activism. His name could be found on the rosters of many organizations, including American Legion Post 28, the Grand Haven VFW, Amvets, NCO Association, Fleet Reserve Association, Sons of Spanish American War Veterans, Army Association, #246 Armor Association, 40 & 8 Association, and the Papasan-Mamasan Association. If you took the time to get to know Bob, you called him "Tick."

As though the list of clubs and associations that he devoted his time to was not enough, Tick also formed a breakfast club with several of his close friends, meeting at the Idle Hour in Spring Lake every other Sunday. Some of his best times there, socializing with his good buddies, Billy, Jack, Vince, Ann, Mike, Joe, Beverly, and Denny, and with many other people too. It is often with the perspective of time that we see the true measure of a man. Bob was a man of integrity with strong family values, deep moral conviction, and a heart and spirit dedicated to serve. More than anything, though, he is a man who will be dearly missed and whose character will never be forgotten in the hearts and minds of all his family and friends.

Mr. Robert "Tick" Tickner, age 70, died Friday, May 19, 2006 in Grand Haven. Surviving are his wife, Nancy; daughter, Tammy Lynn (Jerry) Miller of Hanover, PA; stepdaughter, Sherry Wikarejczak of Grand Haven; 2 grandchildren, Amanda Miller, Benjamin Tickner; 4 step-granddaughters, Stormy Jo (Brent) Bosma, Marie, Elizabeth Beverly and Rebecca Wikarejczak; and brother, Larry Tickner of Fl. Mr. Tickner was preceded in death by his parents, and a grandson, John Paul Platt. Please visit Bob's personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can share a memory, sign the guestbook, or view the Life Story Digital Film.

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