Robert L. Nowland of Caro, age 93, passed away peacefully on March 28, 2022. Bob was born January 22, 1929, in Flint, the son of the late Mark & Mildred (Wieland) Nowland. He moved with his family to Caro when he was three years old. During his childhood he lived in Peoria, Illinois, then later returned to Caro to reside there for the remainder of his life. Bob graduated from Caro High School with the class of 1947 where he excelled in sports. He was the first recipient of the Jack Taylor Award for outstanding athletes and received his varsity letters as a freshman through his senior year in football, basketball, baseball, and track. On January 28, 1949, Bob was united in marriage with the former Sally Wittie, his high school sweetheart, and the couple cherished sixty-five years of love, adventure, and companionship. That same year, he took a position with DTE Energy, a company he would faithfully serve for more than forty years until his retirement in 1990. Civically minded, Bob was an instrumental member of the Tuscola County Fair Board for more than thirty-four years and was a recipient of the Friend of 4-H and the Gleaners award. He was active in maintaining the fairgrounds, building the horse barns and horse rings and promoting the Fair every year. Along with Jim Fitzgerald, Bob created Heritage Hall, a tribute to Tuscola County that remains a popular destination for those interested in local history. He was also a member of the Mt. Moriah Lodge #226 F. & A.M. in Caro. Bob was happiest in Grand Marais, on the Au Sable River and his backyard pool where he spent countless hours with family and friends, fishing, sitting by the fire and rock hunting. He was a consummate family man, always available to anyone that needed help, a listening ear or just a dip in the pool. Bob was also a talented woodworker that was able to see the potential in a piece of wood and visualize its best use. He was known to be an innovator, repairman and jokester to family and friends alike. He expressed his fondness for someone with a well-timed joke, a prank or crafty sarcasm with wit that endured to his final days. He loved his orchard and garden, pheasant hunting, golf and bowling in his earlier years, as well as puzzles. Bob and Sally had fond memories of their biannual trips to the Keeneland Horse Racing Track in Lexington, Kentucky. He was the same age as Mickey Mouse and an avid collector of Mickey paraphernalia. Bob’s love of family, friends and community has left a legacy that will endure for countless generations.
Left to carry on his memory are two daughters and their spouses, Barb & Jim Miklovic of Caro, Mary & Scott Raymer of Caro; four grandsons and their spouses, Pete & Laurie Miklovic of Caro, Joe & Amy Miklovic of Caro, Zach & Olivia Raymer of Portland, Oregon, Gabe & Beth Raymer of Freeland; five great-grandchildren, Joe Miklovic, Jr., Paul Miklovic, Nathan Miklovic, Lucy Jane Raymer, Bradley (Caitlin) Miklovic; one great-great-granddaughter, Lyndi Miklovic; nephew, Terry Turner of Caro; and members of the Wieland and Riley families. In addition to his parents and wife, Bob was preceded in death by two siblings, Doris Turner, Maurice Nowland and his wife, Ruth.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 16, 2022 at the Ransford Collon Funeral Home in Caro with Rev. Michele Hile officiating. The family will be present to receive friends at the funeral home on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorial contributions to the Robert L. Nowland Scholarship Fund, c/o Barbara Miklovic. The family was assisted with these arrangements by the Ransford Collon Funeral Home of Caro. Friends may share memories, thoughts, and prayers online at RansfordCollon.com.