Robert Hubbard Blankenburg

Robert Hubbard Blankenburg of Kalamazoo, passed away at the Harold and Grace Upjohn Community Center, Kalamazoo, MI on July 7, 2014 two days short of his 99th birthday. He was born on July 9, 1915 in Kalamazoo, MI to Carl C. Blankenburg, a long time local municipal court judge and Freida Kleinstueck Blankenburg, a 1911 law graduate from the University of Michigan and a member of the family which donated property known as Kleinstueck Preserve to Western Michigan University. He was the 3rd of five children and was raised on Oakland Drive in the house behind the great stone wall, a recognized landmark in Kalamazoo. He graduated high school from The Normal School, later known as University High School, located on Western Michigan’s campus. In 1934 he married Shirley Aileen Anderson. Shortly thereafter they headed to Austin, TX where he attended The University of Texas and earned a varsity letter in tennis. After college, they returned to Kalamazoo where he spent the rest of his days. Robert was predeceased by his wife of 66 years, his parents, 3 brothers and 2 grandchildren. Survivors include two daughters, Bonita Gross, Paradise Valley, AZ and Suzanne Valerie, Kalamazoo, MI, a son, R. Jeffrey Blankenburg, Greenville, SC, a grandson, Nicholas McManus, Kalamazoo, MI a sister, Dorothy Blankenburg, Kalamazoo, MI and several nieces and nephews. A reception to celebrate Robert’s life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Kalamazoo Animal Rescue, PO Box 3295, Kalamazoo, 49003 or Heritage Community Foundation, 2400 Portage, Kalamazoo, MI 49001. www.redmondfuneralhomes.net