Robert (Bob) Griffiths Behrens, Jr., 76 of Farmington Hills, Michigan went home to the Lord on Wednesday, June 19, 2024.

Bob was born in Chicago, Illinois to the late Robert Behrens Sr. and Bernice Nelson Behrens.  He was married to Iemtje (Ina) Behrens for 50 years, who survives him.  He is also survived by his sister, Ilene Dietrich, his three sons--Robert Griffiths III (Melina), Paul (Melissa), Matthew (Alina), six grandchildren, known to them fondly as The Chief-- Anna, Luc, Leah, Bianca, Marc, and Ariana, and his canine buddy, Brodie.

Bob grew up in Williamston, Michigan, where he graduated high school in 1965.  He received a Bachelor's of Business Administration from Western Michigan University in 1969 and went to work in financial services at The University of Michigan.  It was while attending Western Michigan University he met the love of his life, Ina, although it would take him a few years to realize this.

His career was well planned out.  He joined The University of Michigan as he had a girlfriend (not Ina) in graduate school there and expected to soon be drafted into the Army.  In short order, the romance ended and he failed his Army physical.  Joining The University of Michigan for all the wrong reasons, he then went on to have a wonderful career there and retired in 2011 after 41 years (6 years on the Ann Arbor campus, and 35 years on the Dearborn campus).  Along the way, he married his lifelong love Ina in Ada, Michigan on September 15, 1973, and added a Master's of Arts from The University of Michigan - Ann Arbor.  At the time he retired, he had served as Vice Chancellor of Business Affairs at The University of Michigan - Dearborn for 26 years.

Bob's life-long passions included running (especially the Dexter-Ann Arbor 10K), reading, biking, travelling with his family, and a good cup of coffee.  In retirement, Bob and Ina shared the joys of
grandchildren, playing cards with friends, Bible studies and volunteering at church, travelling to faraway places, and snowbirding together in Florida.

Bob was most proud of his sons, who believed in education as he did (each earning Master's degrees in their chosen fields) and who love their families as much as he did his.
 

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Bob's name to the Faith Covenant Church of Farmington Hills, Michigan.

Friends and family are invited to attend the visitation on Saturday, June 22nd from 3-8 pm at Thayer-Rock Funeral Home, 33603 Grand River Avenue, Farmington, Michigan, 48335 and          Sunday June 23rd at 1:30 pm prior to the service at Faith Covenant Church 35415 W. 14 Mile Road, Farmington Hills, Michigan, 48331.

The funeral service will be Sunday, June 23rd at 2 pm at Faith Covenant Church, 35415 W. 14 Mile Road, Farmington Hills, Michigan, 48331 with a luncheon to follow.

~ Lovingly drafted by Bob, and tweaked by his family ~