Robert Arthur Breard
Robert Arthur Breard, 76, died suddenly and unexpectedly while at home in Sedona, Arizona on the morning of his birthday, April 2, 2024, which came as a shock to those who knew him as healthy, active and energetic, often claiming that he would live to be 150 years old.
Robert will be fondly remembered by his family and the friends he has made wherever he has lived. He founded and ran two extremely successful tool and dye businesses in Lansing, Michigan, he was a thrill-seeker who loved fast cars, golfing, cycling and later hiking and pickleball. Most of all, Robert was a generous, loyal and caring father, grandfather and friend who always put his loved ones first.
Robert entered the world on April 2, 1948, in Eaton Rapids, Michigan, the second child of Charles Breard and Vera (Jowett) Breard, who both served in the Royal Canadian Air Force where they met and married. The family moved to Eaton Rapids, Michigan and lived in a double story house on Bentley Street, where Robert and his four siblings ran free and engaged in neighborhood shenanigans, most memorably playing neighborhood pick-up sports, including street hockey with sticks and a rock, and eating ice cream after school at Miller’s Ice Cream Parlor where Robert’s grandfather, Arthur Jowett was Vice President.
Robert graduated from Eaton Rapids High School in 1966 and worked as a janitor to put himself through college at Michigan State University. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science in 1971, was married in 1972 and had two children. The family moved from Owosso, Michigan to Lansing, Michigan where Robert founded a tool and dye business. Weekends and summers were spent with dear friends on Bear Lake in Kalkaska, Michigan, which remained a cherished place for Bob to visit throughout the course of his life. He later became co-business owner at Eckhart USA, where he grew his second company in the tool and dye industry, finally retiring in 2016.
During his retirement, Robert split his time between Venice, Florida and Sedona, Arizona where he spent some of his happiest years. He kept a busy schedule, which included reading, kayaking, hiking and pickleball with friends, in addition to taking on numerous home improvement jobs. He enjoyed traveling to San Francisco to visit his two grandsons Miles and Julian, whom he absolutely adored. He hosted the boys on elaborate excursions, such as baseball games, trips to the zoo, rock climbing, putt putt golf and movie theaters, all while searching for the best burger the city could offer.
Robert is survived by his daughter Jennifer (Breard) Witt, son-in-law Gary Witt and grandchildren Miles and Julian; his son Justin Breard, daughter-in-law Nicole (Cary) Breard; his brother Michael Breard and sister-in-law Joan (VanDonge) Breard, niece Aubrey Breard and grand-nephew Luke Mann; his sister Annette Breard, nieces Amber Rochester, Jessi Bartlett and nephew Michael Bartlett, and his sister Susan Alexander and her son Stephen Carter.
Robert will be deeply missed by all who knew him. He will be remembered with a hike at 12:30, followed by a celebration of life from 2-4 p.m. on Saturday, April 20, 2024 at the Mystic Hills clubhouse in Sedona, Arizona. Family, friends and former colleagues are invited to join and/or post memories to this online memorial. In lieu of flowers, please donate in Robert’s name to the Sedona Community Foodbank.