|
Robert E Guenzel
1941-2026
Robert "Bob" Guenzel was born in Detroit, MI on November 22, 1941, to Robert and Violet Guenzel and died peacefully on Sunday, February 8, 2026, following a long decline caused by Lewy Body Dementia.
Bob is survived by his beloved wife of 60 years, Pamela Isley Guenzel; daughters Robin Guenzel of Auckland, New Zealand; Elizabeth Guenzel (Jeff) of Salt Lake City, Utah; grandchildren Katie Guenzel-Reilly; and Win Van Blarcom, Abby Van Blarcom; sister Marilyn Eko; nephew Korey Eko (Maggie); niece Heidi Jackman; brother and sister-in-law Mark and Rhonda Isley; nieces Taylor Martel and Carlisle Isley; and countless friends in Ann Arbor and around the world.
Bob graduated from Grosse Pointe High School in 1960. He earned both his bachelor's (BBA, 1964) and law (JD, 1967) degrees from the University of Michigan. Notably during his time at Michigan, Bob attended the historic speech where John F. Kennedy announced the creation of the Peace Corps on the steps of the Union. Kennedy's vision for how good government can help regular people informed the entirety of Bob's long and fulfilling career in public service.
He began his professional work with the National Labor Relations Board then became an Ann Arbor Assistant City Attorney and subsequently Corporation Counsel for Washtenaw County, then partner of the law firm Harris, Lax, Gregg & Guenzel. He was appointed Washtenaw County Administrator in 1994, retiring in 2010.
Using his authority as County Administrator, plus the personal and political capital he amassed over decades by just being an authentically decent guy, Bob was able to produce an astonishing number of good works. He was tireless in his determination to support the most vulnerable of our neighbors, and upholding others' dignity was more important than getting credit for the outcome. His steady vision and steadfast ethics brought diverse coalitions together - and kept them at the table - to solve real problems, in real time.
For example, Bob was instrumental in the creation of the Delonis Center, which provides a range of supportive services and a safe place to sleep for the County's unhoused. An inaugural member of the Ark's Board of Directors, Bob served on that body for 50 years and led the capital campaign that secured the Ark's permanent performance space. He taught a leadership course at the Ford School for several years after retirement. He served for ten years on the Downtown Development Authority. His volunteer service also included the United Way, the Washtenaw Housing Alliance, the Shelter Association, the Washtenaw Literacy Coalition, the Sister Yvonne Fund, and Ann Arbor SPARK, among others.
Bob carried out his belief in the nobility of public service in ways that were contagious and compelling, and his legacy is marked by generosity, humility, and kindness.
Outside of work, Bob lived a vibrant and active life. He was a devoted and loving family man, who always encouraged us to follow our dreams. He took joy in the family's many trips up North to Crystal Lake and frequent visits South to New Zealand. He was a fan of all Michigan sports -The University of Michigan, of course, as well as our professional teams. He had a great love for the Tigers. His dad reported that he learned to read by checking out the box scores. Bob was proud of his sub-three hour Detroit Marathon and enjoyed running many races around the State with his wonderful group of running friends, who walked with him when he could no longer run. He served as president of the Ann Arbor Track Club for a while, played stickball in a parking lot and made beer in the basement. He was grateful for his men's group, which met every month for 10 years to discuss retirement and assorted issues of the day and sometimes attended opening day at Tiger Stadium.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Shelter Association of Washtenaw County, the Washtenaw Housing Alliance, or to The Ark's Bob Guenzel Capacity-Building Fund.
The family is especially grateful for the wonderful care he received at University Senior Living where he resided for two years.
Services are planned for June 28 at The Ark, 316 S. Main Street, Ann Arbor. Doors open at 1:30; program begins at 2:15.
UPCOMING SERVICE; Jun. 28, 2026, 1:30 p.m., The Ark
Published by Ann Arbor News from Jun. 2 to Jun. 11, 2026. https://obits.mlive.com/us/obituaries/annarbor/name/robert-guenzel-obituary?id=61604904
|
Stephen H. Ernst
Bob and i met when assigned to the same team in Little League baseball at age twelve. We became close friends in high school, remained in contact through college and some years thereafter. I missed Bob's marriage to Pam while in the army, and then lost touch after that stint while I was working in Chicago. Many years later we connected again and saw each other a few times over the remaining years.
Bill Halbert told me about Bob's begining battle with Lewy Body at our reunion at the Grosse Pointe Yacht Club when my wife Judy and I sat with Bob and Pam. We would visit and have lunch with Bob and Pam every couple months over his remaining years. Pam was an incredible supporter for him as he continued to decline and we continued to visit him and Pam after his move to a senior living facility in Ann Arbor.
I hesitate to use the term because it is used so often, but Bob really was a TRUE Gentleman. Throughout his career with the NLRB, a law firm in Ann Arbor, and Washtenau county he worked with a high degree of integrity, honesty, and fairness.
A true friend over the years, he will be missed, but remembered with much fondness.
Gregory A. Behling
Like Steve, I have to reiterate the point that Bob was a "True Gentleman "!!
I vividly remember Bob holding his arms outstretched protecting many of us as we walked to Monteith wearing his Safety Patrol belt. God Blessed his Family and friends with his presence!
Holmes Brown
What an incredible lifetime of achievement. For those of us who left Michigan after high school, we realize that among the sacrifices was missing over the years the inspiration and conpanionship of extraordinary classmates like Bob Guenzel.
Holmes Brown
William C. Halbert
Bob Guenzel and I met at the beginning of ninth grade at GPHS, when our home room teacher, Mrs. Watling, seated her students alphabetically. Bob Guenzel, Bill Halbert and Ralph Haikkinen were all in a row. The three of us became life long friends.
Bob was a most faithful friend. When Ralph became ill, Bob would visit him frequently, helping out where he could until the day Ralph passed away.
Bob's exemplary career as a public servant is well stated in his official obituary https://obits.mlive.com/us/obituaries/annarbor/name/robert-guenzel-obituary?id=6160490
Let me share some other aspects of his life.
Bob was the ultimate college sports fan--especially his alma mater, the U of M Wolverines. He and Pam lived within walking distance of the "Big House". I'm not sure if he ever missed a football game over a period of 50 plus years!
Occasionally, Bob would invite me to a game. One of the most memorable was a 1979 game against Indiana. It was the fourth quarter an time was expiring. Michigan was behind by just a few points. Michigan quarterback, John Wangler, threw to the wide receiver, Anthony Carter, for a 45 yard touchdown and won the game. Bob quickly grabbed me and said, "Come on, Bill! Let's get to the car before we miss Bob Ufer's radio replay of the game. It will be every bit as exciting as the actual game!" It was!!
For many decades, Bob would join some of his Ann Arbor friends to spend a week in Nebraska, to attend the NCAA college baseball national champion tournament. His love for baseball was as much as it was for Wolverine football. We had so many conversations about our beloved Detroit Tigers, whom he saw in person on every opening day and as often as he could thereafter.
I would be remiss if I did not give an example of Bob's humility. We were having breakfast one time and I asked him what was new with the county [Washtenaw]. He replied, "Oh, I forgot to mention, last month the County Board elected me as County Administrator."
I was honored to be part of Bob's and his family's life for the past 69 years. Terrie's and my hearts ache for Pam, Robin, Lisa, and their families. Our hearts go out to them. Our hearts are heavy with them.