Newsman Bob Romaker Dies Suddenly At Age 70

Newsman Bob Romaker dies suddenly at age 70

Retired editor, reporter wrote popular column

By DON FABER

NEWS STAFF REPORTER

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Bob Romaker wrote nearly 1,000 columns for The Ann Arbor News about 'ordinary people with extraordinary stories.'
When Bob Romaker retired from The Ann Arbor News in 1996 after a 27-year career, it was to travel some more and tend to his beloved roses.
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His last job at The News was as writer of the popular “Romaker at Large” columns on interesting people in the Ann Arbor area.

He wrote nearly 1,000 columns on "ordinaiy people with extraordinary stories to tell” in a style that was insightful, informal and always entertaining.

Romaker died suddenly Thursday at the age of 70.

A native of Toledo, Romaker attended the University of Notre Dame and graduated with a degree in journalism in 1950.

A passionate attachment to the fortunes of the Fighting Irish stayed with him all his life.

He began his career as a sportswriter for the Sylvania (Ohio) Sentinel in 1950. After two years in the Air Force where he rose to the rank of first lieutenant. Romaker’s journalism career took him to Escondido, Calif., Rapid City, S.D.. and then to Saginaw, Mich., in 1959 where he took a job as sports writer.

He spent nine years in Saginaw as both reporter and editor before coming to The Ann Arbor News as city editor in 1968.1n 1975. he was elected president of the Michigan Associated Press City Editors Association.

Romaker loved to travel and to spend time on fine beaches. "If he found out about a beach he hadn’t visited, he would seek it out,” said his wife, Virginia.! He shared with News readers memorable first-person accounts of a cruise to Mexico and a trip to Australia.

Romaker was proud of his touch as a grower of roses.

In 1982, he won an award from the Huron Valley Rose Society for the best hybrid tea, which was also voted the best exhibit in the show. He won a similar award in 1994 and served as president of the organization.

As a township resident, the genial, easygoing Romaker was honored in 1996 by Pittsfield Township at its annual community picnic -for his Romaker at Large columns.

“We feel his columns in The; Ann Arbor News were outstanding,” event co-chairman Lloyd! Johnson said at the time. “He; had a lot of years with getting to know the community.”

"Romaker at Large just fit! him,” said Virginia.

Visitation Sunday is from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at the Nie Funeral Home. A funeral service will be Monday at 11 a.m. at Holy Trinity Chapel in Ypsilanti.

Romaker is survived by his wife, Virginia, and three daughters. One daughter preceded him in death.