In Memory of:
Robert Paul Vatter

W August 2, 2004 W

An Outstanding Deacon

by Bill Sirl

Those who knew Bob Vatter knew that he had a heart as big as he was. He touched everyone he came in contact with just by being Bob. He was warm, approachable and always ready to help out.

Bob and Jill were married 24 years and had two college age sons, James and John. Bob was rightfully proud of that family and they meant everything to him. He grew up in the small Thumb area town of Cass City where he and Jill knew each other since the sixth grade. He worked for the state Democratic Party as their data base coordinator. Prior to that he had owned and operated his own auto parts supply business.

To say Bob was very involved at St. Casimir Parish would be an understatement. He headed the very successful parish fund raising effort, Stone Upon Stone Capital Campaign, and the annual Corn Roast Festival. Other parish activities included Knights of Columbus, Parish Council, Finance Council, Worship Commission, Education Commission, School Committee, Religious Ed, Confirmation Prep Team and RCIA. Also, he served the parish as an adult altar server, lector, Extra-ordinary Minister of Holy Communion, Mass captain and sacristan. He was the coordinator of “The Twins” Habitat for Humanity project in Lansing and regularly donated blood to the Red Cross. Bob was a servant leader through and through.

Yes, Bob was very involved because he loved his God and wanted to serve the people of God. When asked in his application essay for acceptance into diaconate formation to describe what he believed of God, he responded “that God is a lot like his Grandma. Very wise. Kind and understanding to a fault. Willing to always forgive.” This not only said something about his view of God but also how he felt about the elderly and disadvantaged. He truly enjoyed visiting shut ins and patients in the hospital. I know he found God in those people from the beautiful spiritual reflections he wrote from those experiences.

It has been said that outstanding ordained deacons were outstanding deacons long before they entered formation. Bob would have been an outstanding ordained deacon.