Robert "Bob" R. Stark

Robert (Bob) Stark of Springvale Township passed away peacefully, surrounded by family at home on November 11, 2020.

He was born on March 22, 1933 in Alpena where he lived until graduating from Alpena High School.  Bob moved to Petoskey after serving in the 97th Army Band during the Korean war, at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.   He continued service in the Army Reserves until April 1, 1961.

In Petoskey, Bob started his own construction company after learning the trade.  He built numerous homes and commercial buildings throughout Northern and Central Michigan with a focus on the local community.

Throughout his adult life, Bob was dedicated to public service.  Soon after moving to Petoskey, he was elected to the Springvale School Board.  Bob was then elected as Trustee on the Springvale Township Board for 12 years and then as Supervisor and Assessor for 11 years.  He then served as Zoning Administrator for Springvale for 7 years.

His greatest joy and privilege in public service was involvement with the Springvale Fire Department.  He was a member for 52 years starting in 1968.  He has been the Fire Chief for 38 years.  In 1987 he was named Emmet County Firefighter of the Year.  He was nominated by the Springvale Fire Department because they felt “Bob goes well beyond the call of duty to improve the fire services both in our department and also through his involvement in the Emmet Firefighters Association”.  Training and safety were always of the upmost importance.  Bob created many innovative solutions to improving firefighting equipment and techniques.  He was instrumental in acquiring funds to purchase equipment and for building the state-of- the-art fire hall.

Bob is preceded in death by his wife Noreen Stark, and his parents Martha and Oscar Stark along with four siblings.  He is survived by his children Steven (Laurie) Stark, Pam (Chris) Kritcher and Roger (Linda) Stark.  He is also survived by seven grandchildren, Andrew (Jacqueline) Stark, Sarah Stark, Jennifer Kritcher, Andrea (Ying) Wu, Lauren (Kemmons) Feldman, Ryan (Courtney) Stark, and Rob Stark and five great grandchildren.

The family wishes to thank the staff and physicians of McLaren Northern Michigan Hospital and Munson Hospice for the excellent care Bob received over the last two months.

The family will receive friends for visitation at the Springvale Fire Hall from 9:00 to 11:00 AM on Tuesday, November 17, 2020.  The visitation will be followed by a private family service with Pastor Mark Belanger. Friends and family are encouraged to live stream the service through Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/267335631618/?ref=share

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Springvale Firefighters Association (8198 E. Mitchell Road, Petoskey, Michigan, 49770).

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