Lansing, Michigan
Age 93, passed away Sunday, October 16, 2011. Bob, an educator and Urban Planner, was born in Syracuse, NY, July 19, 1918 to Elliot Danforth and Florence Backman Hotaling. He was raised on a farm in “Houghtaling Hollow” NY, and attended school in Syracuse. To earn tuition money for college Bob worked at a broom factory, then entered Syracuse University’s New York State college of Forestry. After graduation, Bob was “invited” to serve his country and was a Captain in the Corps of Engineers assigned to the 936th Aviation Engineers. After the war, Bob traveled the United States professionally using his skills as an Urban Planner before settling in Okemos, Michigan where he was a Professor of Urban and Regional Planning and Lifelong Education at Michigan State University for 25 years. Bob established Urban Consultants, Inc., working with clients around the state to improve and develop communities to better serve their citizens. Bob worked with the movers and shakers of the State of Michigan, developing friendships with Governors, Senators and prominent businessmen. He was instrumental in establishing the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore being requested by then Senator Philip Hart to testify before a U.S. Senate Committee. Bob was appointed by Governors Romney and Milliken to the Michigan State Board of Professional Community Planners and served as chairman. Bob authored books on Michigan Township Planning, and also served as an expert witness to law firms for State and Federal Agencies, philanthropic organizations and developers. He was a consultant, lecturer and a seminarian for Michigan Townships Association. Bob never retired from his professional career.
Bob is survived by his wife of ten years, Phyllis; children, Marilyn Hotaling, Brock, William and Richard; stepchildren Pam Gardner, Gary Eby, Jill Richardson, Jan Jones; numerous loving grandchildren and great grandchildren. Bob was dearly loved and will be greatly missed.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, October 28, at 11:00 a.m. at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, 1730 E. Grand River, East Lansing, MI. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to First Church of Christ Scientist, 709 E. Grand River, East Lansing, MI 48823. On line condolences may be made at www.greastlansing.com.
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