Robert V. Haggard of Grand Rapids, age 76, passed away on Monday, June 2, 2025.

Bob or Bobby (as he was known by his family and many friends) was born in Grand Rapids on February 14, 1949. His given middle name was, appropriately, Valentine – although he shortened it to Val as an adult. At age seven, he moved with his mother to Glen Cove, Long Island, NY, where he spent the rest of his childhood and teen years. His musical talent was evident at an early age, and he developed his unique style singing in the church. As a young man, he sang with friends in doo wop groups, emulating The Temptations and The Four Tops – but his love of music was not limited to Motown artists. His taste was wide-ranging, everything from Crosby, Stills and Nash to Luciano Pavarotti.

In 1968, he enlisted in the Air Force and served his country until he was honorably discharged in 1972. He moved back to Grand Rapids, and began working at Steelcase, where he met his first wife, Ruth Ann, with whom he shared a daughter, Jennifer. He kept singing – at church of course, but also with local bands such as Remembrance and the Scott Bell Trio. In 1991, he was cast in his first community theater musical, Big River, at Circle Theater…and the rest is history. He gave iconic performances in shows like Company, The Wiz, Closer Than Ever, Smokey Joe's Café, and Once on This Island, while also pursuing singing as a full-time career.

At age 59, Bobby suffered a massive stroke that forever changed his physical abilities – but did not alter his keen mind, huge smile, distinctive laugh, or his passion for Michigan football. Through the love and support of friends and family (especially his nephew VJ, who was like a son to him), as well as the dedication of the many home visiting service providers he was fortunate to have, he was able to live independently until his death.

Bobby is preceded in death by his mother, Senora Foster, and his father, James Fair, Jr., as well as his sister Joyce Humphrey and his uncle James Haggard. He is survived by his daughter Jennifer, grandsons Darius and Isaiah, brothers Michael (Maureen Kirkwood) Winfield  and Bryan (Julie Jenkins) Foster, brother-in-law Ventson Humphrey, nieces Samantha (Kamani) Jones, Maggie (Heather) Hulson, and Ashleigh (Trent Davis) Callier, nephews VJ Humphrey, Aaron Winfield, and Josh Foster, aunts Helen (Robert) Arrington and Cynthia Haggard, and many cousins and great nieces/nephews. He also leaves behind countless musical collaborators and friends, especially Scott Bell, Chantel Westdale, Jane DeYoung, Jason Marlett, Sue and Dave Warmels, and the VanSweden family. The family would like to thank his nurse, Jennifer, and all the members of his VA home-based primary care team, Diann and Joann at Samaritas Senior Living, Ebony from Cornerstone Caregiving, and all the many health care professionals who helped Bobby through the years.

There will be a visitation on Thursday, June 19 from 7:00 – 9:00 pm at Ofield Funeral Home, 4500 Kalamazoo Avenue SE, Kentwood, MI, 49508. The homegoing service will be held at Ofield Funeral Home on Friday, June 20, at 12:00 pm, immediately followed by a luncheon catered by The Candied Yam at Viewpond Banquet Hall. If you are so moved, feel free to wear your Michigan Wolverines gear, and come celebrate Bobby's life with the things he loved most: family, friends, music, food and stories.

Those wishing to offer expressions of sympathy may make a contribution in Bobby's honor to Grand Rapids Circle Theatre, 1703 Robinson Road SE, East Grand Rapids, 49506 (https://circletheatre.org/) or Hero's Corner Grand Rapids (https://heroscornergrandrapids.org/ ) .

Grand Rapids Circle Theatre
1703 Robinson Road SE, East Grand Rapids MI 49506
Web: https://circletheatre.org/

Hero's Corner Grand Rapids
Web: https://heroscornergrandrapids.org/