Robert “Bob” James Long, 80, of Luther, passed away surrounded by his family on Saturday, November 29, 2025, after a lengthy battle with cancer. 

Bob was born on March 19, 1945, in Muskegon to Eston “Sam” and Ida (Kesl) Long. He attended school at Hoxeyville School and Luther School until his family moved to Arkansas in May of 1962 to work on the Millwood Dam on the Little River with the McQuestion’s. He graduated from Ashdown High School in 1963. In October of 1963, he entered the United States Air Force. He became an Airman 1st Class Weapons Mechanic. He served in Kincheloe, Guam, Chanute, and Thailand, loading bombs on B52s as well as F4s. In his four years of service, Bob earned several awards, including the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, and the Outstanding Unit Award. He was very proud of serving in the Air Force. 

Bob married Donna (Petschauer) on October 26, 1968. Bob worked at Gardner Denver in Reed City, REMPCO in Cadillac, and proudly served his community as a volunteer firefighter/EMT for Luther Fire District for 39 years as well as Ellsworth Township as the Supervisor and Assessor for 49 years. He was a member of St. Ignatius Catholic Church, worked with Lake County Habitat for Humanity, coached numerous youth softball and baseball teams, volunteered with Northern Livestock and Osceola Livestock 4H Clubs, and also served on the Luther League. Bob and Donna also ran their farm together for decades, raising pigs and beef cattle. After retiring from REMPCO in 2010, Bob enjoyed spending time watching his grandchildren’s sports, hunting, fishing in Canada, baling hay, scrapping, and gambling at the casino. Bob was always ready for a cup of coffee, a quick-witted joke, a hand of cards, or a slow ride around town. 

He is survived by Donna; their children Julie (Grant) Riggs, Dr. Andrew (Victoria) Long, and Holly (Jeremy) Lockhart; grandchildren Joseph (Jacqueline) Riggs, Joshua (Tia) Riggs, Jacob (Tegan) Riggs, Meghan Lockhart, Derek (fiance Abby Taylor) Long, Benjamin Lockhart, Robin Long, and Emily Lockhart; and great grandchildren June, Jenavieve, Sutton, and Joanna. He is also survived by his sister, Sharon (Bob) Verlinde, brothers Thomas (Judy) Long and Roger Long, and in-laws Barb (Sig) Johnson, Terri (Paul) Vanias, and Donna Long, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Bob was preceded in death by his brothers Bruce, Lynn, and Greg, and sister Gloria Hastings, his parents, and his in-laws Ted and Jenny Petschauer. 

Visitation will be held at the Pruitt Livingston Funeral Home in Reed City on Friday, December 5, 2025, from 6:00-8:00pm. The family will also receive visitors at 10:00am at the St. Ignatius Catholic Church in Luther on Saturday, December 6th. The funeral mass will begin at 11:00am, with full Military Honors. Burial will follow at North Park Cemetery in Luther, with a luncheon afterward at the St. Ignatius fellowship hall. 

Donations may be made in Bob’s honor to 22 2 None or the Pine River Uplift Program. 22 2 None is a Northern Michigan veteran-ran nonprofit organization whose mission is to help with the mental health of veterans in an effort to reduce the approximate 22 veteran suicides that happen every day. Pine River Uplift Program helps school-aged children in our community that are food deprived by providing a bag of food each week to supplement their weekend meals and snacks.