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Obituary for Robert M. Hebert
Robert Marcel Hebert, born February 22, 1921, was loved and deeply appreciated by his family and friends, and was the last of the many wonderful people that made up his generation of the Hebert family. Bob passed away peacefully and quietly on Friday, September 8, 2017 at Angela Hospice in Livonia, Michigan.
Bob was born on his family’s farm in the small French-Canadian village of Crysler, Ontario, attended high school at the University of Ottawa, and with the help of his eldest sister Reine, came to the States to study chemical engineering at the University of Detroit. His studies were put on hold by World War II and he entered military service and held the rank of Lieut. in the US Army, when he also became a citizen of the United States. He was training infantryman and preparing for the military invasion of Japan when that conflict ended, and was stationed after the war in the Philippines. His daughter, Jeanne, was born while he was overseas. Bob returned to the US after his discharge, and with Mary Ruth and Jeanne they moved to Pennsylvania and then to Michigan, where he was working as an engineer.
Back in Detroit, he completed his engineering studies at Wayne State University. Bob eventually took a position as an automotive engineer with General Motors Corporation, from which he retired in 1986.
Bob enjoyed a full and wonderful retirement life, spending time with family and friends, to whom he was all committed and with whom he had a great deal of fun whether in Michigan or during the several months each year he lived in Florida. Bob lived independently, and carefully managed his affairs and health until a week before his death. Throughout this period multiple times each week he played duplicate bridge and faithfully went to the gym to work out. Until this past year he continued to play golf, a sport which he enjoyed greatly even though it was a source of constant frustration. He regularly attended St. Regis Catholic Church, where he served for many years as an usher.
Bob’s greatest commitment, though, was to his family and their welfare, and in this he was continuing in the tremendous tradition that had been started by his sister, Reine. There are very few in his extended family that have not benefited directly and substantially from his and Reine’s efforts to ensure that all were well and cared for. Nothing gave Bob greater pleasure than the gatherings of his family, both large and small, to share meals and laughter. He is greatly missed already. Bob’s strength, commitment, and the vibrancy with which he embraced life and dealt with life’s challenges were and remain an inspiration to his family and friends. He will always be remembered and cherished in a treasured place in their hearts.
Bob is survived by his three children, Jeanne (James) Colburn, Diane Hebert (Tom) Ray, and Thomas (Susan Crandall) Hebert, grandchildren, Brian (Debbie) Colburn, Alicia Colburn (Scott) Love, Gabrielle Ray (Brett) Bulman, Brent Ray, Katrina Hebert, and Nicholas Hebert, and great-grandchildren, Kai, Benjamin, Tayler, Brandon, and Oliver Robert Bullman born on September 5, 2017. Bob is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews and their children and grandchildren. Bob is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Mary Ruth Bachelor Hebert, in 1971, his grandson, John Ray, his sisters, Reine Flanders and Jeanne Ethier, and his brother, George Hebert.
Friends may visit at Lynch & Sons Funeral Home, 1368 N. Crooks Road (between 14-15 Mile Rds.) Friday 5-8pm. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Regis Catholic Church, 3695 Lincoln Drive, Bloomfield Hills, Saturday at 12 noon. Friends may visit at church beginning at 11:30am. Burial will follow in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Southfield.
