Tributes
Leave a tributeI've never been so happy for 2 people to marry than I was for Dina and Robert. I always knew Dina deserved the best and God saved Robert just for her!
Robert is loved, Robert is missed but will live on in Logan's spunkiness and love for life! Missing you today, Robert but sending your family love and prayers for the years ahead without you.
The Lord was with you
We were excited to become neighbors with Dina and Robert. We barely had a chance to know him, but he was already looking out for us. When I was driving home from the airport in the snow last winter, my sweet neighbor Jo called to check on me and tell me that Robert was standing by to come get me if I ran into trouble getting home. Such a sweet guy.
Back to our purpose of the trip - work. A lot of laborious tasks. It was funny (even in the moment) that Robert did more “relationship” building than actual building. This was his skill. He would tell stories to the school kids and strike up conversations with the teachers. They viewed him larger than life - literally and physically. Little did they understand how much they were spot on, and how much he continued to impact those he encountered.
When each day was over (typically sundown), we would get to spend time in our “hotel” room catching up on the day and discussing our lives back in the U.S. it was more like a hut but whatever. On several nights Robert wanted to call home and speak to his parents but his phone didn’t work, so I offered him my phone with an agreement to settle up any charges when we got home (this was before future teams got smart and bought local phone minutes). Little did I know when I got that bill the next month that not only did Robert use more call time than I remembered (maybe he called when I fell asleep) but TMobile was charging $1/minute! Put it this way, there were a few hours of air time on that bill. Eeek; however, I never told Robert about the bill - my relationship with him was worth every minute.
This is the trip where I asked Robert one day, at our daily devotionals, what does the Bible say our job is as God’s children. Robert turned to Micah 6:8. “And what does God require of you? To act justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with God.” This has been my theme verse, my go-to verse ever since. Every time I read it I recall that conversation in Kenya.
One last memory of this trip. Robert and I sat beside each other on the plane ride back to the U.S. I recall falling asleep on his shoulder for who knows how long. Never thought anything unusual about it. That is classic Robert. A comforter and a shoulder you could lean on. I never use past tense when talking about Robert. He is still very present and continues to be my friend and confidant.
In the spring of 2016, Mt. Bethel School of the Arts was to perform the musical Annie and Robert was kind enough to play the role of Daddy Warbucks. Molly was cast as Annie and was able to perform with Robert. Practicing singing and dancing with him was almost as much fun as the actual performance for Molly! He was awesome with the cast (all under the age of 10) by calming nerves and having fun with them behind the scenes! Robert had truly become Daddy Warbucks to the kids in the musical.
The last rehearsal before opening night, there was quite a scandal involving Robert! It was revealed that several of the youngest kids in the cast had observed Daddy Warbucks giving Mrs. McMichael a hug and a kiss before school! Watching a rarely speechless Robert defend and explain himself to twenty giggling, inquisitive six-year-old girls was an image I will never forget! A blushing Reverend McMichael!
Robert had a loving kindness that made him so incredibly approachable. Over the years, I ran into Robert at Publix dozens of times. I often gave him a hard time about being the Mayor of Publix and how hard life must be when you’re a local celebrity - always greeting others with warmth and a willingness to chat it up! One thing I am certain of, Robert NEVER had a quick trip to the grocery store!
Although Trey was younger, I strive to be half the Mighty Man of God that he was here on Earth. His First Love was to the Lord and because of that you couldn't tell where the Love stop and started for Dina and all them Babies! LOL His Love will forever be with us all.
That voice - given to him from above and touched every one fortunate enough to hear him sing.
That soul - it was impossible not to worship when Robert was singing or preaching. God was with him and God was with us.
A great man taken from us way too soon.
I love you forever Big Little Brother.
"Hi Robert! You did such an awesome job with Alex's cars this morning during the Children's Moments with the Minister. I have to tell you that last night Alex and I were talking about what to put in the bucket, and I was doing everything I could to convince him to take the apple project he made at preschool. No luck...he insisted on the cars. But the message you shared about needing to "pick up" God's people was meaningful and it made me realize that He speaks to us through even the youngest children so that we might understand His Word even better."
We love and miss Robert every day. I'm so grateful for Facebook because it allows us to see and share the many memories we have of him. His preaching, his music, and his passion can still be experienced by all.
Leave a Tribute
Bananas. I cannot buy bananas without thinking of Robert and how he loved to eat them! And Hugo’s. I will always think of Robert and the good times shared there, and how much the people of Hugo’s loved Robert, every time I drive by or dine inside. There are so many wonderful memories that I will cherish, but most of all, I will remember how he road in like a night in shining armor (with a bow tie of course) and swept my precious friend (and her children) of their feet with his infectious smile, his sincere charm, and his abundant love. Chivalry is certainly not lost. He was an example for all of his girls, that they would know how a gentleman should treat them. And he was an example for Preston, that he would know how a proper gentleman is to treat a lady. He was the real deal. A smile and hug from Robert would light up your whole day
Be careful what you pray for...
We loved to share the story with people that Robert used to pray for the Lord to bless him with a wife and a family. What he didn't know that his prayer would be answered all at once and he would go from a single bachelor to an instant husband and father. I know he wouldn't have wanted it any other way though.