Robert C. Yen

Robert C. Yen, of Farmington Hills, Michigan, passed away on September 25, 2024 at the age of 80 after many years of battling Lewy Body Dementia and Parkinsonism. Robert was preceded in death by his parents Cheng-Chien Yen and LinChun Yen and his sister Grace Jiang. He is survived by his wife Mei-Rong Yen, children Stephen Yen and Jennifer (Joel) Yao, grandchildren Victor and William Yen and Shannon and Ethan Yao; brother Cheng-Chung Yen and sisters Margaret Hsieh, Hsiuying Cheng, and Hsiuyu Cheng.

Bob was born on November 25, 1943. He grew up in Taipei, Taiwan and graduated from Jianguo High School in 1962; he went on to study at Taiwan Normal University and graduated with Physics and Chemistry degrees in 1966. In 1968, he moved to the United States, where he received 2 Masters degrees: Physical Chemistry from the University of Minnesota (1971) and Polymer Science from the University of Akron (1974).

While he was studying at the University of Minnesota, he joined a pen pal program in 1970 and started writing letters to Mei, a graduate student in Taiwan. After a year of exchanging letters, they finally met in person for the first time in Taiwan in September 1971 and got engaged just 2 weeks later. After spending a month together in Taiwan, Bob had to return to the United States and was not able to see Mei in person again until March 1972 when she moved to the United States two weeks before their wedding.

Bob and Mei got married on April 8, 1972 in Akron, Ohio. After both Bob and Mei graduated from the University of Akron graduate school, they moved to metro Detroit in 1975 and Robert started work as a chemist at Budd Company, an automotive supplier company. During his 26 years at Budd Company, he invented and obtained 2 patents for sheet molding compound materials.

Bob was known for always being friendly, kind, and gentle; he was a man who was easily content and satisfied. He was a steadfast, devoted husband and family man. Stephen was born in 1976 and Jennifer in 1979. Later, the family moved from Troy to Farmington Hills in 1993.

After his early retirement in 2001, Bob was able to do all his favorite things: playing golf, singing, and enjoying good food and conversation with family and many close friends. He became the beloved grandfather to Victor, William, Shannon, and Ethan.

Bob and Mei purchased a winter home in Arizona in 2006 and spent many wonderful “snowbird” winters there. They also regularly cruised and flew all over the world, traveling to over 20 countries with high school classmates, family members, and other close friends.

Bob was diagnosed with dementia in 2014 and Parkinsonism in 2016; he was officially diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia in 2019. His last few years were challenging from a health standpoint, but Bob was able to stay in the comfort of his home and enjoy the daily love, care, and delicious cooking from his beloved wife. He was also blessed with consistent home health aides and regular visits with his children and grandchildren. Despite his illness, he remained the same kind and gentle man to the very end and will be greatly missed.

A memorial gathering will be held at Harry J. Will Funeral Home at 37000 Six Mile Rd. in Livonia, Michigan on Saturday, November 2, at 10:00am, followed by a Celebration of Life service beginning at 10:30am.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Robert’s memory to the Parkinson’s & Movement Disorders Fund for Discovery at the University of Michigan. Checks may be made payable to “University of Michigan” and sent to 777 E. Eisenhower Pkwy., Suite 650, Ann Arbor, MI 48108. Please include “Robert C. Yen” in the memo line of the check or in an attached note. Alternatively, you may visit https://victors.us/robertcyen or call 734-764-6777 to make your gift.