Robert "Bob" aka "Bubba" Tubbs age 72 passed away peacefully surrounded by his wife and daughters April 12th, 2026 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He was born in Hart, Michigan January 29th, 1954 to Gary and Beverly Tubbs (Anderson). He came into this world the same time Gary made the winning shot on Hart's basketball team against North Muskegon. They announced it over the intercom there that Bob was born.
Bob's childhood was a good one surrounded in love with his parents, brother and four sisters. A lifelong resident of Hart, he grew up close with the neighborhood kids on Peach Street and was also tight knit with his cousins, but especially the Anderson cousins. Bob was passionate about sports and grew up playing football, basketball and baseball into high school. He was an incredible athlete. He made All-Conference as a junior for football. He had a knee injury his freshman year that followed him his whole life but if you knew Bob, you knew he didn't let that stop him. He won everything and loved competition. He frequently told stories about getting into all sorts of shenanigans with his brother Dick, cousin Mike Swihart and his many best friends. He graduated Hart High School in 1972.
He met his wife Brenda when he was 21 and she was 17 and have been together ever since. They worked hard together and built a close family. She was the love of his life, as he was hers. They taught their girls the true meaning of marriage. He was a great son-in-law and was so close with Brenda's family, especially his brother-in-law Jeff.
To know Bob was to love Bob. He was a diehard Detroit Lions, Tigers and Michigan Wolverines fan. Every weekend in the fall you'd find him screaming at the Lions and cheering for the Maize and Blue. He went to many games over the years with Dick and passed his love of these teams to his girls. He was a proud Union Member of Labors Local 355 and worked hard for his family. Later in life, he found such joy coaching his daughter's soccer teams, being a "Dad" to their friends and teaching them all of life's lessons. You could find all three of them in the living room going over every game and he knew all the details despite never playing soccer in his life. As soon as they expressed interest in sports, he went full throttle. He loved walks to Russell Creek and drives to Lake Michigan. He was a dedicated husband, father, grandfather, son, brother and friend. He was a proud man and made friends wherever he went. He lived a life of virtue and will be missed by so many.
Bob is survived by his wife, together for 50 years Brenda, his daughters Nichole (Zach) and Allison (Evan), his grandchildren Lenny, Fitz and Norah, and his siblings Dick Tubbs (Laurie), Kathy VanBergen (Mickey), Karen Fransen (Kevin), Kris Farquhar (Ken) and Jenny French. He was preceded in death by his parents Gary and Bev, his cousin Mike Swihart and brother-in-law Jeff Ferris.
Visitation will be held Sunday, April 19 from 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. at Hart Christian Fellowship 408 South State Street Hart MI 49420. A celebration of life will be held at Hart Christian Fellowship Monday, April 20. The family will receive friends from 12:00 p.m. with services beginning at 1:00 p.m. with Pastor Bill Ryder officiating.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hart Public Schools Athletic Boosters.
Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service, Pere Marquette Chapel, is in charge of arrangements.
