Robert H Bedker

Robert "Bob" Bedker of Hernando, FL went home to be reunited with his wife in Heaven on February 18, 2018 at the age of 82. He was born in Detroit, MI to Charles and Mary (Hughes) Bedker. He grew up with his siblings Donald, Charles, Katherine & his favorite German shepherd, Max. After high school Bob proudly served his country as a member of the US Army in the 1960s. For a time, he played Triple-A baseball for the Detroit Tigers before he started his working career. Bob and Mae, his wife of 55 years, shared a great love of all things sports throughout their lives together. They were constantly off and running from one sports event to another and never tired of the pace and thrills. When they were first married they would spend weekend nights competing at couples bowling with first prize being the night's tab. Since they always won, they were often banned from the local bowling alleys for months at a time.
Bob worked for UPS for 30 years and retired as a district manager. He made many close friends that he kept in touch with over the years. Given that he moved every few years while working, Bob had many going away parties and received many going away gifts. His favorite present was a pair of Texas Longhorns which went over every fireplace he owned even when it clashed with the décor. After some of his longer business trips he would often try to surprise his daughter Vicky with something spectacular. A few times he ended up in hot water with Mae, despite his good intentions, such as with Sunshine the baby chick who turned out to be a rooster, Okky the parakeet (the mascot from a month-long work conference) who turned out to like Jack Daniels just a little too much, and tickets to Neil Diamond. Now Bob should have been safe with concert tickets and have it be a perfect gift, but he could only get two tickets, so Mae, despite Neil being her favorite singer, had to stay home so that he could take his little girl to her first real concert.
Having traveled extensively while working, Bob gave up on plane travel post retirement and opted for the "Road Trip" from that point forward even when some trips ended up resembling a Clark W. Griswald "Vacation" he still preferred the road trip. Bob also gave away all his three-piece business suits and ties much to his wife's dismay. He did give in and wear nice sports coats and dress pants to formal events, but only under direst and never with a tie. His favorite attire post retirement was a nice golf shirt and a pair of docker shorts, whenever possible.
After retiring Bob and Mae moved to Hernando, FL and built their dream house on the Oaks Golf Course. Bob took up a second career in retirement and played golf at least five days a week for many years. Bob enjoyed playing numerous PGA courses over the years. He even made it to St. Andrew's golf course in Scotland with Mae who he finally convinced to take up golf shortly after the Scotland trip which they took with their very close friends. Bob and Mae also liked to find and try every Diner, Homestyle cooking, Mom & Pop, or Hole in the Wall restaurant they could find. Some of their local favorites were the Cove, the Old World (German style food) restaurant, the Rusty Duck, the Hen House and many others. They were always in search of the perfect Pub/Bar burger or hot dog when they went to a ball game or hit a road side stand. Bob enjoyed watching a variety of shows including all things sports, many types of sitcoms, Dr. Phil, Wheel of Fortune and most of all Jeopardy. He always preferred to be home and watch Jeopardy live instead of taping it. Phone calls were not allowed during the watching of the show and never ever call him when the final Jeopardy question was being asked unless you wanted to end up in the dog house big time!
Bob is survived by his daughter Victoria Phillips, his son-in-law David Phillips of Inverness, FL, his sister Katherine "Bunny" Moreau of Shelby Township, MI, Sisters-in-law Beverly Rezin of Warren, MI and Charlene Penz and husband Robert of Shelby Township, MI. He is loved and remembered by many nieces, nephews and longtime friends. Bob was preceded in death by his wife Mae and his two brothers Don and Chuck Bedker. Bob will be cremated, a memorial service will be held over the summer in Michigan. In lieu of flowers Bob's family asks that memorial donations be made to Hospice of Citrus and the Nature Coast www.hospiceofcitrus.org or the Alzheimer's Association www.alz.org . The family thanks all Bob's caregivers at the Grove Rehab and at Hospice who helped Bob with his health struggles in the last few months of his life.