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Robert Samples

April 15, 1958 - September 26, 2021
Northville, MI

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Visitation

Thursday, September 30, 2021
1:00 PM to 8:00 PM EDT
Turowski Life Story Funeral Homes
Livonia, West of Middlebelt
30200 Five Mile Rd.
Livonia, MI 48154
(734) 525-9020
Driving Directions

Service

Friday, October 1, 2021
10:00 AM EDT
Turowski Life Story Funeral Homes
Livonia, West of Middlebelt
30200 Five Mile Rd.
Livonia, MI 48154
(734) 525-9020
Driving Directions

Life Story / Obituary


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Robert Samples will be remembered as the light in the room. He worked hard, and his genuine desire was to help others in ways both great and small. There was no greater gift in Bob’s life than his family, and he was so proud of the people his sons have become. Someone who wasn’t afraid to live life on his own terms, he was the funniest guy around. Described as loyal, hardworking, determined, and strong, Bob was a true inspiration. Life will never be the same without him here, but he leaves behind a timeless legacy that his loved ones will proudly carry on in his footsteps.

The 1950s were an exciting time in America. The cultural fabric of this decade was colored with names like Elvis Presley, James, Dean, and Marilyn Monroe while it was during this exciting time that we became a nation of 50 states with the additions of both Hawaii and Alaska. It only seems fitting that it was during this vibrant time that Robert was born on April 15, 1958. He was the baby, the “long awaited son” as he joined the family as the youngest child and the only boy as he was raised alongside his two older sisters. Bob had a strong relationship with his parents, and he was a very devoted son who treated his parents with respect.

From the time he was young, Bob was so much like the Bob everyone knew and loved. He was so funny, that he was actually able to joke himself out of any kind of mischief he managed to find himself in. It has also been said that Bob was a daredevil who once put his tricycle in a wagon and had his sister pull him around in the wagon as he sat atop the tricycle. Of course, his sister was the one who got in trouble for that rather than Bob. There was also the time that he decided to pound a bunch of nails into the basement stairs, leaving his father to replace the basement stairs. With an inquisitive mind throughout his life, Bob would often take things apart just to see how they worked. When he finally slowed down at night, he usually sat in front of the television in a rocker, rocking himself to sleep like a little old man. Bob attended local schools where he played football and ran track while in high school. After graduating from Garden City West in 1976, he went on to the University of Michigan. Bob ended up getting his Bachelor of Political Science from Wayne State University.

New and exciting changes were in store for Bob when he met the woman who would become his lifelong love. Bob and Laura met at work in 1988. Their first date came in 1989 when Bob did his best to impress her by bringing her his mom’s famous peanut butter fudge. They just camped out on the carpet and watched movies. In time, Bob and Laura found themselves deeply in love. Knowing he wanted to spend his life with Laura, Bob picked out an engagement ring and proposed. As the story goes, they went to St. John’s Banquet Hall to put a deposit down when he looked at Laura and asked, “So?, Wanna get married?” Indeed, she did, and they exchanged their vows on May 20, 1994.

Bob was thrilled beyond measure when they were blessed with the birth of their son, Alex, in January of 1999, and again when their family was completed with the birth of Jackson in October of 2005. Bob was an amazing father and family man who was happiest when with his loved ones. He encouraged his boys to pursue their interests and to follow what they love. Bob was there to support Alex in his cross country and went to all the meets, while he encouraged Jackson’s love for seafood. Spending every Sunday at his parents’ with his boys was a favorite longstanding tradition. Some of Bob’s favorite family memories were made while out traveling and exploring wherever their travels took them. He made being there for his family in every way his primary focus. On their last trip to Boston, the family went out whale watching while Bob stayed ashore as he struggled with seasickness. He enjoyed going antiquing with his sister, Loretta, instead. As soon as his family got back, however, Bob was ready to eat as they had been gone for a very long time. There was also the time the family went hiking and they threatened to put Jackson in the trunk since he wouldn’t stop asking so many questions!

To support his family, Bob worked 30 years for Multibank Securities, Inc. as broker/Vice President. He always went up and above for his clients, took great pride in his work, and enjoyed the strong comradery of his coworkers.

With a life that spanned times of great change in the world around him, Robert Samples had a magnetic personality and a zest for life that was contagious to all who were near. He was the sort of person who never met a stranger, and everyone always loved being around him. Bob loved working with his hands whether he was growing roses, building things like a kitchen table, or helping someone with their home improvement project. Everyone knew he was the guy to call if they needed a hand, and through the way he lived his life he taught his family and friends what it really means to love others while also bringing plenty of humor into daily life. Deeply loved, Bob will never be forgotten.

Bob is survived by his loving wife of 27 years, Laura; his sons, Alex and Jackson; his faithful pups, Eddie and Otto; mother-in-law, Sandra Wencel; sisters, Loretta (Gil) Quick, and Karen Samples; nephew Jason (Sarah) Quick; and niece, Jessica Quick. He is preceded in death by is parents, Robert and Margaret Samples.

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