Robert Leon Oisten

Robert Leon Oisten passed away in the early hours of July 12, 2025. He was 98 years old. Born on Oct. 17, 1926, in Allegan, MI, Robert (or "Bob" as he was known to his friends) didn't get to attend his high school graduation because he was drafted into the United States Navy to serve during World War II aboard the USS Essex as a munition's loader. After his discharge and a brief stint of civilian life, he returned to the military when he joined the United States Air Force. He was trained as a firefighter and photographer. One of his roles was to apply color to black and white photographs of warplanes. While stationed in Colorado, he met his first wife, Clara. After a transfer to North Carolina, Clara became pregnant with Joyce, their older daughter. Just before Joyce arrived, and despite Bob's protests, he was discharged from the military. Joyce was born on the couple's first wedding anniversary, Oct. 10, 1950. The couple welcomed their second daughter, Roberta, on Mar. 11, 1952, after they had moved to Michigan. Tragically, the couple lost their third daughter, Karen, due to her poor health from birth. They never conceived again. Bob went to work for a company called TruHeat in Allegan, MI, where was a draftsman and worked in procurement pricing out the costs of goods. He remained at TruHeat for more than 30 years. Then, in 1964, Bob suffered the heartbreaking loss of his wife, Clara. He would remain single until 1970 when he met Jenny at a "Parents without Partners" pool party. The couple hit it off immediately and would eventually marry in late 1971. After his retirement from TruHeat, Bob kept busy working at a local grocery store. He also got to tour the country when he got a job delivering FedEx trucks to depots around the United States. Bob and Jenny would provide love, comfort, and guidance to their own children and each other for their 33 years of marriage. The also shared an active life of golf, bowling, and traveling until Jenny's untimely death in 2005. He continued to play golf well into his 90's and bowled as recently as six months before his passing. He was also a lover of people and animals, with a particular passion for dogs and cats. Women often described him as having a "boyish grin," which attracted them to him wherever he was. He will be missed by all who knew him. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Karen Oisten; grandson, Ryan Nguyen; and companion, Betty. Bob is survived by his two daughters, Joyce (Walter) Olsen, Roberta (Douglas) Auwema; three grandchildren, Tammy (Steve) Gillman, (step) Eric (Supia) Olsen, (step) Lee Olsen, Todd (Ashley) Pataky, Melissa (Michael) Koetje, (step) Daniel Auwema, (step) John (Katie) Auwema; great grandchildren, Justin (Elizabeth) Nguyen, Dominic Nguyen, Nicklaus Pataky, Abby Pataky, Bailee (Blake) Foreman, Caden Koetje, (step) 8 great-grandchildren; great-great-grandchildren, Atreyu Nguyen, Ember Nguyen, and baby Foreman; nieces, nephews, and extended family. Condolences may be left for the family online at www.langelandsterenberg.com. A private family gathering is being planned for later this year. www.langelandsterenberg.com

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Robert Leon Oisten

October 17, 1926 - July 12, 2025