Robert 'Bob' Priebe Sr.

Robert (Bob) John Priebe Sr., age 84, passed peacefully in his sleep to be with the Lord on October 19, 2024 surrounded by loved ones. Bob was born on November 5, 1939 in Detroit, MI to John and Mary Priebe. At the young age of 17, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served as a Gunners Mate Seaman. Despite briefly going AWOL, he was honorably discharged after four years of service from 1956-1960.

He married Diana DeClerk on September 28, 1963 and they had four children. Bob worked in the construction trade in his early years living in Roseville, MI. Later, he moved north for a quieter life in Houghton Lake where he owned and operated Diane’s Restaurant. For 27 years, he had a love-hate relationship with “the restaurant.” In his last days, he did fondly note, it kept him in line though he never quit joking about how it drove him nuts.

Bob was a jokester at heart, and never took anything too serious. In his early years he enjoyed being an aquarist, fishing, dancing, collecting coins, antiquing, and metal detecting. After retirement, he spent his time remodeling his home in Florida, becoming a Wall Street tycoon, bike riding, gambling (almost hitting it big), and collecting eagle items. Later in life, he was known as the “Miracle Man” because of his endless stories of cheating death. From swinging off roofs, a few Navy incidents & car & motorcycle accidents, to a miraculous recovery from an intestinal blockage through Divine intervention. Bob’s faith became his priority in his final years. He created a flyer that told his story of finding God and handed them out even in his final days.

At Bob’s last Christmas with his family he was asked to share his proudest achievement to which his reply was “family.”

He is survived by his brother Edward (Ronald Rebant) Priebe. His four children, Denise (Aaron) Edick, Bob (Wendy) Priebe, Teresa (Eric) Renkiewicz, and Christine Priebe. His beloved cousin, Mary Kontolambros. Ten grandchildren Rachael (Brandon) Barnes, Shauna (Aaron) Reive, Justin Edick, Troy Renkiewicz, Erica Renkiewicz, Kaitlyn Priebe, Tyler Renkiewicz, Myla Dankert, Elise Renkiewicz, and Jordan Dankert. Nine great-grandchildren Journey, Ashton, Eli, Oakley, Bentley, Oliver, Novaley, Phoenix, and Miles.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Lawrence Priebe, and his cousins, Stephen & Georgia Bukowski.

Flowers received, will be taken to the gravesite.

Memorial Contributions can be made to the Wounded Warriors Project, https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org/ or please plant a Tree in his memory.

Military Honors and burial is being held 9:30 am, Thursday, October 24, 2024 at Great Lakes National Cemetery, Holly, Michigan.

Please visit www.lifestorytc.com to share your thoughts and more. Life Story Funeral Home, Traverse City.