April 1, 1947 – September 7, 2024
Rev. Robert John Sielaff, retired elder, passed away on September 7, 2024.
Bob was a larger-than-life man who had a very kind heart and immense love for his family. He was a light and leader. He was known for his jokes and laughter and his ability to make people feel comfortable no matter the situation.
Bob is preceded in death by his parents and two siblings. He is survived by his son, Robert M. Sielaff; his wife, Darlene Kuperus; his stepdaughter, Victoria Mast; and his granddaughter, Elizabeth Sielaff.
Bob grew up in Detroit. He was raised in the Missouri Synod Lutheran Church and attended Lutheran West High School. As a youth, he was active in many sports, but basketball became his true passion and skill.
Bob attended Concordia College in Ann Arbor. He became a star basketball player while attending college. Bob majored in history. Upon graduation, he began his studies at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis. He earned a master’s in divinity and became an ordained pastor. He returned to Detroit and began serving his first congregation. Bob married and had his son, Robert “Rob”. They had a wonderful father/son relationship. Rob was often found on the sidelines of the basketball court when Bob was playing rec ball or coaching a sport in his spare time. Bob took great delight in the time spent with his son.
Bob began working towards a Ph.D. in speech communications at Wayne State University in his early years of church ministry. He became a teaching assistant and then, during his doctoral program, began teaching “Speech 101” classes. He taught a class each semester for nearly 40 years at WSU. His balance of being a pastor and adjunct professor was a perfect fit for a man who loved people and loved talking! He had a special skill in relating to people of all ages and all cultures. He often told people that he taught the “second greatest fear in life” and made them guess what that was. He created a classroom where people quickly felt a connection to their classmates and reduced their fear of making a public speech. His jokes and humor created a lively space for learning.
Bob was a pastor who truly connected to the members of his flock. He genuinely cared about people. His preaching was marked with humor, jokes and relating to people in the context where he served. He loved preaching and leading events that drew people together.
Bob transferred his divinity credentials to the United Methodist Church in 1995. While seeking the next phase of his pastoral career, Bob visited Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Livonia. Two of the pastors at that time had been fellow students with Bob at Concordia Seminary. Bob met Darlene, who was then the Minister of Music at Holy Trinity. They married in 1997.
Bob became Victoria’s stepfather and cherished her like his own daughter. The new family of three was a very happy “second chapter” in Bob’s life.
Because of his love of sports, Bob remained very active as a basketball player for his form of exercise. He was known as a leader on any team he joined. He was lovingly called “The Rev” by his fellow athletes and had a basketball marked with “The Rev” that he often used in games.
Bob retired in 2020. He began to struggle with various health issues, and his steady decline was sad and difficult. For a man with a keen mind and strong body, his decline was hard for him to accept and recognize.
The family moved to Grand Rapids in early 2022 when Darlene accepted a new church position at Trinity Lutheran Church. They were now closer to Darlene’s family in Grand Rapids. Their support in Bob’s final years, as well as the support of neighbors and friends from Trinity Lutheran, is deeply appreciated.
The funeral service honoring Bob’s life occurred at Trinity Lutheran Church in Grand Rapids.
Donations in Bob’s honor can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or Trinity Lutheran Church of Grand Rapids (Celebration Concert Series).
“Well done, good and faithful servant, well done.”
*Sielaff, Robert J. (Darlene) – [(RE) PL 4/1998; PM on recognition from Missouri Lutheran, 1999; FE 2001; RE 2018] Dearborn Heights: Warren Valley 4/1/1998; Dearborn Heights: Stephens, Warren Valley 1999; Walled Lake 2012; New Hudson 2016; Retired 2018; Dearborn: Good Shepherd (½) 2018-2020.
Last Updated on October 9, 2024