Robert Bournique

Robert James “Bob” Bournique, 81, died Tuesday, June 27 due to Alzheimer's disease, after living a very full life. He was born on November 16, 1935 in Butler, Pennsylvania, the 6th child of Louis and Frances Bournique. As a young man, he served as a Navy pilot flying off the carrier USS Independence. He survived ejecting from his plane over the Mediterranean Sea in December 1960 when his engine quit and his parachute failed to open. After six years in the Navy, he completed a degree in Industrial Engineering at the University of Cincinnati. Then, after some years as a commercial pilot selling Piper airplanes, Bob became an FBI agent serving in Boston, Detroit (where he was part of the team working on the disappearance of Jimmy Hoffa), and Marquette, Michigan. It was in Marquette that he met and married his wife Caryl. In their 31 years of marriage, they opened their own home as a homeless shelter for five years, and adopted two children from Colombia, South America. Bob was a lector, eucharistic minister and 7th grade religion teacher at St. Michael's Church. In 1986 he completed the diocesan lay ministry training and became a pastoral associate at St. Mary's Church in Big Bay, MI where he was a monthly homilist. He volunteered at the Marquette Branch Prison and at the St. Vincent de Paul food pantry. His activism with the Marquette peace community eventually led to his resigning from the FBI for reasons of conscience. His final career path was as a licensed practical nurse for ten years, the occupation that he enjoyed most.

Bob was a lover of the outdoors. He hiked, biked, skied, snowshoed, camped, canoed and fished. He shared all these passions with his wife and family. Bob was also an excellent cook, famous among family and friends for his home-made pasta and pizza. His greatest passion, though, was loving and serving others. Numerous people were blessed by his generosity. His quiet personality was rooted in a deeply reflective and spiritual outlook that made him quick to respond to others' needs. His spiritual path included daily meditation both at home and at the Lake Superior Zendo. He often remarked that his prayer was "to become a better lover." Those who knew him described Bob as gentle, reflective, dedicated, sweet, and kind. At his last residence, Taos Retirement Village Medical Center, he was known for his bright smile.

Bob's greatest joy was his marriage to Caryl and their life together, especially becoming parents and then grandparents. He delighted in time spent with family and always made that his priority. It was in order to be part of the lives of their grandchildren that he and Caryl moved from Marquette, MI to Taos, NM in April 2011, shortly after receiving the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, two older sisters (Mary Lou Campbell and Virginia Thompson), a younger sister (Frances Gay), and both his brothers (Louis and Jacque). He is survived by his wife Caryl of El Prado, NM; son Fabio of Marquette, MI; daughter Esperanza of El Prado and three grandchildren—Frankie, Hope and David--each of whom brought joy to his heart and smiles to his face. He is also survived by three sisters: Ann Bykowski of Red Hill, Pennsylvania; Barbara Richards of Lake Wales, Florida; and Bette Bournique of Costa Mesa, California, as well as by 14 in-laws who consider him a brother; numerous nieces, nephews,great nieces, great nephews; and countless friends.

Celebrations of Bob's life will be arranged in the coming weeks.