Obituary of Robert Jerome Batsche

Robert (Bob) Jerome Batsche, 89 years of age, was born in Lansing, MI on March 1, 1932 to loving parents CJ and Mildred Batsche. Bob passed at his residence in Fort Worth, TX June 24, 2021. He was preceded in death by his parents and only sister, Marilyn Sondy. He is survived by his loving wife, Janie; their children, Steve and wife, Ermine, Tom and wife, Julie, Don and wife, Charlcie, Martha Miller and husband, Randy; nephew-son, Jim Kent; niece-daughter, Kathy Meza and husband, Richard; seven grandchildren, Audri, Zach (Jenna), Jeremy (Mandi), Jeff (Kelly), Michael, Erin (Tyler), Kali; eight great-grandchildren, Chloe, Levi, Jillian, Sam, Nora, Billy, Harvey and Ermine (with another Batsche boy on the way).Bob grew up in Lansing, Michigan where he had a passion and love for the water. He was a member of his high school swimming team contributing to a State Championship Title and earned an induction into the Greater Lansing Sports Hall of Fame. Bob was an Eagle Scout and worked several years at scout camp becoming the Waterfront Director. Bob continued his love for swimming in college and became captain of the swim team. He was also a member of Kappa Delta Psi Fraternity. His college life was interrupted by his service in the U.S. Army. After serving his country, Bob married the love of his life, Martha Jane (Janie) Newberg on June 9, 1956. He returned to Michigan Technological University and earned a Degree in Mechanical Engineering, graduating on June 9, 1957.Bob started his professional career with Cutler Hammer in a suburb of Milwaukee, WI, later moving to Saginaw, MI, where their three boys, Steve, Tom and Don were born. Bob was promoted to a management position in Columbus, OH where they had their daughter Martha on their 9th Anniversary. He was hired away by one of his best customers, becoming VP of Sales for Fairfield Engineering. The family then moved to Marion, OH. In December of 1971 the Batsche family moved to Ft. Worth, Texas for subsequent opportunities for the balance of his professional career. Bob purchased and owned Global Insulation in 1986 before retiring in 1992.Over the years, Bob enjoyed being actively involved in many community organizations, including: Junior Chamber of Commerce (JC’s), where he developed many lifelong friends at dinners and traveling, Columbus Neighborhood Association where he built parade floats and organized carnivals, Citizens on Patrol in Ft. Worth patrolling the streets to keep them safe for 17 years, and finally the Ft. Worth Stock Show and Rodeo assisting patrons for 12 years. Bob and Janie joined St. John’s Church in January 1972 where he was an active member for 49 ½ years and served in many capacities: including countless pancake and chili suppers, weekly coffee hours, ushering, serving on the Search Committee, and serving several terms on the Vestry, including the roles of Jr. and Sr. Warden.Bob had an unending love and devotion to Janie, and he was able to recently celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary. He set a wonderful example for all of us in the way he loved and cared for Janie. Bob had an amazing character and capacity to love. In the summer of 1974, he opened his heart and home to Jim and Kathy, raising and loving them as his own children. Bob was a mentor, friend, supporter, and coach, teaching life lessons and positively influencing countless lives including his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.Bob was respected for his unwavering integrity and straightforward honesty. He was resourceful, caring, dependable and always willing to provide support, advice and opinions – in fact Bob was ready with a world of opinions and valuable viewpoints regardless of whether you were ready to hear them or not! He was a hard worker and his engineering mind could come up with solutions to repair almost anything. He had a HUGE sense of humor, a sensitive spirit but was stubborn as hell. His enthusiasm for life was contagious. You could hear his booming voice and laughter across a crowded room. His enormous smile could light up any room. His family called him Bob, Dad, Uncle Bob, Grandpa, and Sweet Ole Bob – “SOB” and an assortment of other adjectives from time to time as a result of his strong personality!Bob loved canoeing during his younger days, and his love for the water showed up again in Texas spending weekends boating and waterskiing with family on Lake Benbrook. He was extremely patient anyone willing to learn to waterski, sharing and instilling his “never give up” attitude. He loved going on extended vacation to Lake Texoma with family and dear friends. He enjoyed watching both college and pro football and was a diehard Dallas Cowboys fan. Bob loved to cook and bake and was always experimenting with new recipes from pickled watermelon rinds to an assortment of delicious pies. And, when you heard the scratch of his throat daily around 5 o’clock, you knew a martini was soon to be enjoyed!Most importantly, Bob was a faithful loving husband and wonderful son, brother, father, uncle, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend. He was a big man with an even bigger heart who always went out of his way to make you feel welcome and part of the family.