Robert N. “Bob” Cochrane, 90, passed away at his residence in Ann Arbor, Michigan on December 23, 2022. Bob was born on July 1, 1932, in Coldwater, Michigan, the son of Burr and Corleone (Newton) Cochrane, both deceased. He graduated from Coldwater High School in 1950. He then attended Albion College and Western Michigan University for two years, and served in the military for nearly three years, receiving an honorable discharge in 1954. He subsequently enrolled at the University of Michigan, earning a Journalism degree in 1958.
Later in 1958, Bob married Janet E. Keyes, literally “the girl next door” who lived next door to him on Division Street in Coldwater. They had two sons, Andrew J. “Andy”, born in December, 1960, and Robert S. “Scott”, born in January, 1963. The marriage was dissolved in 1966, and in 1989, Bob married Jeanette “Jill” Kennedy of Lincoln Park, Michigan. Jill passed away in 1999, but from that union, Bob’s family increased with five step-children: Kathleen; Maryann; Patricia; William; and Susan, all of whom survive. Also surviving are sons Andy (wife Courtney), children Alexis and Silas of Buffalo, New York, Scott of Ann Arbor, Michigan. Brother Gordon J. “Mick” Cochrane of Palmetto, Florida, niece Lisa Cochrane Murray (husband Stephen), and children Benjamin and Gabriel of Bradenton, Florida, also survive.
If you knew Bob Cochrane, you knew this guy could write. He won many awards and received recognition for his journalistic work. Throughout his career he served variously as editor, news editor, reporter, and columnist for several newspapers: the Ft. Wayne (Indiana) News Sentinel; Marion (Indiana) Leader Times; Jackson Citizen Patriot; Grand Rapids Herald; Mt. Pleasant Morning Sun; and various down-river Detroit newspapers under multiple owners, including the current News-Herald. Sandwiched in that array of print media were stints at Fiddler Publishing Company in Grand Rapids, and a year as a legislative aide to U.S. Congressman Garry Brown from the Kalamazoo area.
Perhaps two writing events stand out in Bob’s career. One was a column describing a disastrous wedding day where absolutely everything went wrong prior to arriving at the church for his nuptials with Jill. The words and spirit of the song “Get to the Church On Time” were clearly violated that day. However, Bob’s column in which he vividly and humorously depicted the events of that day was a big hit with readers based on reader mail, phone and personal conversations. A second well-read news feature was a series of interviews that Bob conducted with U.S. Congressman John Dingell, Jr. The resulting articles detailed lively discussions of then current political and social issues.
In his downtime, Bob listened to his hundreds of music cd’s, and read a great deal especially military history chronicling WW1 and WW2. He also enjoyed reading about sports and watching games on tv, rooting for the Chicago Cubs, and all University of Michigan athletic teams. Bob also devoted time donating to multiple charities including war veterans, animal care and rescue, and children’s health. His generosity knew know bounds.
Finally, a personal event etched in the memory of his younger brother, Mick, occurred when Mick was eight years old. He fell off of a bike a block from the family home. Bob, eleven, saw the accident and sprinted a city block to the scene. He picked up the bleeding Mick and carried him to the safety of their home. Thanks for big brothers! Bob will be missed dearly by family and friends.
Bob chose cremation with interment alongside Jill in Mt. Carmel cemetery located in Wyandotte, Michigan. A memorial service will be announced at a later date.
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