Robert V. "Bob" Sayers, of Farmington Hills, passed into eternal life early Sunday morning, June 7, 2026, following a lengthy decline in health. He was 88 years old.

Bob was born July 25, 1937, in Detroit, the youngest of three sons. He grew up in the area of Six Mile and Woodward and attended Detroit public schools. He also spent part of his youth on a farm in Attica, where he learned the value of hard work early in life, milking cows before going to school in the morning. Those early lessons in discipline, responsibility, and perseverance remained with him throughout his life.

A bright and gifted student, Bob was promoted from second to fourth grade and continued to excel academically. As a fourth grader, he won the schoolwide spelling bee and became one of seven county finalists that year. He was again named school spelling champion in eighth grade. Bob graduated from Mumford High School in 1955, having advanced through school ahead of the usual pace for his age.

During his school years, Bob was also active and well-rounded. In junior high, he played baseball, basketball, and gymnastics, and was involved in band, orchestra, choir, art, and ceramics club. He continued participating in sports in high school and was also a member of the band, orchestra, chorus, and a small combo band. Music remained part of his life in later years as well, including time singing in the choir at Saint Hugo of the Hills.

During his senior year, Bob was stricken with polio meningitis, an illness that left him seriously weakened and required a long period of hospitalization and rehabilitation. With determination, therapy, and the support of his family, he worked hard to regain his strength. That perseverance became one of the defining qualities of his life. He recovered not only enough to continue his education, but to build a full and active life marked by work, faith, family, and service.

Bob began his college studies at the University of Detroit and later earned his bachelor's degree from Western Michigan University in mechanical and electrical engineering. His education reflected both his intelligence and his natural ability to understand how things worked. Following college, he entered the automotive industry, first working for Chrysler, including time connected with Chrysler's operations in the Chelsea area. He later began what would become a long and successful career with Ford Motor Company, where he spent 32 years. After Ford, Bob continued working for another 10 years at General Motors as a contractor, setting a lasting example for his children about the value of hard work, loyalty, and dedication.

Bob was never afraid of hard work. He loved working with his hands, a skill he learned from his father, and he actually built his and Pat's very first home.  He learned by doing, and throughout his life he remained the kind of man who could repair, build, improve, or figure out almost anything. He could fix everything from his car to the washing machine, and around the house, if something needed to be done, Bob usually did it himself. His hands were skilled, his mind was practical, and his work was steady and reliable.
Bob met the love of his life, Patricia "Pat" Gibala, through friends and the lively Catholic young adult dance scene in Detroit. They were introduced at a Sunday night dance at Bonnie Brook Golf Course in Detroit, and their relationship grew through music, conversation, friendship, and laughter. Bob was an excellent dancer, all the more remarkable considering all he had overcome after polio. Pat fondly remembered that he would tease her while they danced, saying, "You're leading again." The two were married on October 29, 1966, at Epiphany Catholic Church in Detroit, beginning a marriage of nearly 60 years.

After their wedding, Bob and Pat first lived near Seven Mile and Evergreen, near St. Gerard Parish, before building their home in Drayton Plains. There, they began their family, adopting their daughter, Kerry, in September of 1971, and their son, Darren, in May of 1972, through Catholic Social Services. Bob and Pat later moved to Farmington Hills, settling in the Independence Hills subdivision in the late 1970s, and eventually downsized to their Hillside condominium, where they made their home for nearly 30 years.

Faith was an important part of Bob's life. He and Pat were longtime members of Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church in Farmington, where Bob served for many years as an usher and Eucharistic Minister. He was also an active member of the Knights of Columbus. His faith was expressed quietly and faithfully — not only in attending Mass, but in serving others, supporting parish life, helping where he was needed, and living his beliefs through steady commitment and humble action.

Bob enjoyed an active life. Through the years, he played softball in the Ford League, bowled, golfed, played bridge, and enjoyed traveling with Pat.  He and Pat joined the senior golf league at Farmington Hills Golf Club and enjoyed many summers of friendship, fresh air, and companionship with that group.

Bob also grew up hunting and fishing with his family, and in later years, he enjoyed many hours in the woods and on the water hunting and fishing with his son, Darren. He was an avid sports fan who loved going to Michigan football games every fall. When he was not in the stands, he could often be found watching the games on television and grumbling good-naturedly about questionable play calling.

Bob and Pat enjoyed traveling when they could, including winter trips to Florida, where they would rent for a month or spend time with family. One of Bob's favorite parts of those Florida winters was spending time with his brother, Jim, and Jim's wife. Bob and Jim both loved food and loved to eat, and the two of them could sometimes be found at the grocery store several times in a single day.

Above all, Bob was a family man. He was a pretty simple man who did not need much to make him happy. He was an incredible husband, father, and grandfather who loved spending time with his family. Though he was a man of few words, he had a wonderfully sneaky sense of humor and enjoyed the company of family and friends. His presence was steady, his love was dependable, and his quiet way of caring left a deep and lasting impression.

In March of 2022, Bob suffered a serious fall at home. Though he fought hard and made efforts to recover, his health gradually declined in the years that followed. Through it all, Pat remained devoted to him, caring for him with love, patience, and constancy.

Bob will be remembered as intelligent, hardworking, handy, faithful, quietly funny, and deeply devoted. He overcame great difficulty as a young man, built a meaningful career, provided for his family, served his parish, and shared nearly six decades of marriage with the woman he loved. His life was one of perseverance, loyalty, faith, and steadfast devotion.

Bob is survived by his beloved wife, Pat; his loving children, Kerry (Matt) Doucet and Darren (Brenda) Sayers; cherished grandchildren, Lily and Brady Doucet, Autumn Sayers, and Zoe Hayden; as well as many extended family members and friends who will remember him with affection and gratitude.  He was preceded in death by his two brothers, James (Ann Therese) Sayers and Richard "Dick" Sayers.

Family and friends may gather for visiting hours at the Heeney-Sundquist Funeral Home on Tuesday, June 16, from 2-8 pm. The Knights of Columbus will lead the rosary for their Brother Knight at 7:00 pm.

Bob's funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday morning, June 17, at 10:00 am, with in-state visiting beginning at 9:30 am, at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church, 23615 Power Rd., Farmington. Click HERE to view a livestream of the mass.

A luncheon will follow at a venue announced upon the conclusion of Mass.

Memorial tributes are kindly suggested to the Capuchin Soup Kitchen , St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or the charity of one's choice.

May his soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.