Robert John Betz

Robert John Betz – Bob to most, Boz to the lucky ones who knew him a long time – left this world for the next adventure on June 9, 2023, after a year-long voyage with what we eventually learned was adrenal cancer.

He was born in Toledo, Ohio, to Harlan Paul (d.) and Marilyn Louise Betz (nee Wicks) and was the younger brother of David (Patti) and older brother of Thomas.

He attended the Storer YMCA camp as a youngster, and thus began his love of outdoor adventures. Hiking, canoeing, rock climbing, sailing – he loved it all. He especially loved the Wind River Range in Wyoming and took many backpacking trips there over the years. One of his biggest achievements was completing the Pacific Crest Trail, hiking all the way from Mexico to Canada. He also trekked to Everest Basecamp in Nepal and had pizza at the world’s highest pizzeria.

Bicycling was also a huge part of his life. He once rode his bike around the perimeter of Nova Scotia with some college friends. He also participated in several mountain bike and gravel road races, but mostly just enjoyed casual mountain bike rides with his friends on Sunday mornings.

He received a bachelor's degree from Bowling Green State University and a master’s degree from the School of Public Health at the University of Michigan. He moved to Ann Arbor to work at Wilderness Outfitters and eventually had a 30 year career at Limno-Tech as an environmental scientist. The world is a little cleaner and safer, thanks to Bob. Even though the mountains were continuously calling, he loved living in Ann Arbor and all of its amenities, especially walking uptown to see a movie at the Michigan Theater.

He is survived, and missed terribly, by his mother Marilyn of Naples, FL; his older brother Dave and his wife Patti, and nephews Bryan and Parker of Mill Creek, WA; younger brother Tom of Escondido, CA; his partner of 22 years Kris and their two cats Truman and Wilson; the Sunday morning bike and x-country ski guys; friends from work and school; and anyone else who had the privilege to hike, bird, bike, climb, or paddle with him.

A celebration of his life will be held on Wednesday, July 19, at Delhi Metropark at 5 p.m.. For those who are unable to attend, and because one event is not enough to celebrate Bob, anyhow - ride a bike, tip a canoe, be a little wacky, and always remember to floss.

Climb high, paddle hard, and pedal fast, Bob.