The Apple Man, Bob Rider, passed on to a Higher Orchard on October 14, 2025, with all of the love and devotion he inspired in his large and extended family, after a short residency at White Lake Assisted Living in Whitehall, Michigan. It would be hard to find anyone who would be more admired for his devotion to his wife, his family, and to his farm and love of growing fruit that would make people happy. At one time he was farming over 600 acres. Although he retired from farming and the Farmers Market in 2010, he continued with his gardening and his tomatoes.
Bob was born on June 26, 1932, across from Crystal Lake, near Hart, Michigan. His father, Seymour Rider, was a well-known farmer and a wonderful collector of ancient artifacts from the local area. Bob was very helpful in later years in helping his collection to be donated to the City of Hart, where it is all on display for the public to enjoy. Seymour lived for 103 years, and Bob was very proud of him and a great inspiration to him all of his life.
When Bob was 3 years old, his mother, Iva Lois, aged 37, died, and Bob was sent to his aunt's home until he was 5 years old. He had six older siblings: Seymour Jr, Valeta, Betty, Doris, Willard and Gordon. Seymour never remarried. So Bob grew up as the youngest one in a house full of children with no mother on hand to even referee. His oldest sisters did their best.
Bob attended the Crystal Lake School located right on Seymour’s property. Later he attended and graduated from Hart High School. He was an avid runner and loved to play football. Many times he had to walk the three miles to the high school. He loved to swim and to fish and all outdoor activities. But he wanted to farm most of all, and after he graduated, he married Roberta (Bobbe) and started working and bought the farm from his father. They had three children: Rebecca (Harold), Debra (Mike) and Gary (Diana).
Bob was active in the State Farm Bureau Board for many years and an active member of the local farmers' Pomsters group. He budded and grew many thousands of cherry trees for many years. He was a great and enthusiastic farmer, and he loved it all. He gave fruit to anyone who walked by his stall at the market, and they all became his friends. Roberta passed on in 1989 unexpectedly, and Bob was assisted in the farm bookkeeping by his sister-in-law, Sharon Snider.
In 1991, Bob did a wonderful thing. He gave a Honeycrisp apple to a customer named Lloyce Tapken, who gave one to a friend named Laveryle (Verlie) Bosley. And Lloyce said, “You’ve got to go get some of these apples, Verlie,” and so she went and there he was! A year later they were married, and Verlie became the farm's main bookkeeper, apple picker, and all that goes with it. Her four adult sons, Steve, Randall, Alan (Tammy) and Martin (Robin), all became part of the extended family, which included his nephew, Lee Rider (Judy), assorted sisters- and brothers-in-law; 13 grandchildren; many great-grandchildren and even great-great-grandchildren; and assorted nieces and nephews.
The farmers market became the focus of their life for the next 18 years. Countless customers depended upon the Apple Man to supply their many fruits for a long time. The friends working for Bob and Verlie in the stall were invaluable in serving the public, especially friend Carol Kludy for many years.
In 2009, son Gary Rider passed on unexpectedly, and then Bob decided to retire. He had a big auction, and then Bob and Verlie began to travel a lot more and eventually spent winters in a home in Zephyrhills, Florida.
After Covid they moved back to Hart, Michigan, where they enjoyed their lives in a more relaxed fashion, going for rides and enjoying their home together.
In September of this year, Bob entered the White Lake Assisted Living in Whitehall, Michigan. He was enjoying talking with other residents until he succumbed to a major stroke. His family came to be with him, and he passed on to that Great Orchard on Oct 14, 2025.
A Celebration of Life will be announced at a later time.
Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service, King-Hart Chapel, is in charge of arrangements. www.beaconfh.com
