Robert Michael Ward

Robert Michael “Bob” Ward, 88, of Battle Creek, Michigan died on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at Heritage Assisted Living, with his family at his side.

Bob was born May 27, 1938, in Detroit, Michigan, the son of Michael and Dorothy Theresa (Brown) Ward. He grew up in Detroit and was a 1956 graduate of Servite High School. Bob earned his bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Detroit and his master’s degree in School Administration from Central Michigan University. Bob’s career started as a high school History teacher and then he became a school administrator for several school districts. After 23 years with the Lakeview School District, Bob retired as the principal in 1997.

He was passionate about education, partnering with his teachers to focus on ensuring the best education for their students. He enjoyed showing this support by standing outside the central office during class change over, to greet them as they walked to their next class. This helped him create personal relationships with the hundreds of kids in his building each year. Bob’s support for his students extended beyond the classroom, spending several nights each school week, watching their athletic, artistic, and musical events.

That passion was indicated in the many professional endeavors beyond his building including as a member of the former North-Central Accreditation Committee which accredited schools nationally and internationally. His professional dedication was recognized by the Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals when he was named Secondary School Principal of the Year 1990.

Robert Michael Ward married his high school sweetheart, Rosemarie Kolevar on June 18, 1960, at St. Julianna Church in Detroit. Sadly, Bob was preceded in death by his wife, Rosemarie on October 4, 2011 and their oldest daughter, Kathleen Moore on September 8, 2024. Surviving are their children, Tim (Mary) Ward of Birmingham, Anne (Jim) Speese of Battle Creek, Maria Ward (Tracy Wright) of Grand Rapids; their son-in-law Kevin Moore; grandchildren, Lissa (Jeff) Layman, Patrick (Ashley) Moore, Abby (Saud) Al Bassam, Andrew (Courtney) Moore, Peter Moore, Anna (Jackson Wright) Moore, Evan Ward; five great-grandchildren; a sister, Maureen Bacca of Battle Creek; a brother, Patrick (Jan) Ward of West Bloomfield and several cousins, nieces, nephews and their families. Bob was also preceded in death by his brother, Michael Ward and a brother-in-law, David Bacca, and his best friend since first grade, Russell Semelsberger.

Bob was a member of St. Philip Catholic Church, where he helped serve Sunday Supper for 17 years. He was an avid Notre Dame fan and was a football usher for 16 years. Bob was a member and past president of the Cereal City Lions Club and ran the Christmas basket program over the years. He was proud of being a Lion, having been a member of the organization for well over 50 years. He served as a board member at Willard Library.

He was a swimming official at Lakeview High School and other local districts. Through the years he enjoyed fly fishing, the outdoors and birdwatching. He loved music, traveling, family trips and camping, and making blueberry pancakes for his kids and grandkids. He and Rosemarie camped extensively and traveled nationally and internationally, including four trips to his beloved Ireland. Bob will be remembered as a loving husband, dad, and grandpa who also loved his community and the people he encountered along the way.

_________________________________

Friends will be received 3:00-6:00 p.m. Monday, June 22, 2026, at Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care, where the Rosary will be recited at 6:00 p.m. Friends will also be received 9:00-9:50 a.m. Tuesday, June 23rd at St. Philip Roman Catholic Church, where a Mass of Christian Burial will then be celebrated by The Very Reverend Robert F. Creagan at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, June 23, 2026.

A committal service will be held at Memorial Park Cemetery.

Memorial contributions in memory of Bob may be made to the Robert M. Ward Scholarship Fund or the Kathleen Moore Fund for Early Childhood Education, both through the Battle Creek Community Foundation, 32 W. Michigan Ave. Suite 1, Battle Creek, MI 49017. Personal messages for the family may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.