Robert “Bob” Hassler was born to Janie and Alonzo “Lonnie” Hassler in Cahoun, Georgia, on April 3, 1925. He was the fourth of six siblings. Robert lost his mother, Janie, at a young age, and he was preceded in death by his father and all of his siblings, accept for one. His reminiscences reveal him as a serious, dutiful son. As a youth, he moved to Chicago, Illinois, where he attended Chicago Public Schools. Feeling a profound call to service, he joined the United States Marines in 1943, ultimately serving his country until 1947. Congress would finally, honor the nation's first group of Black Marines, the Montford Pointers, of which he was a member, with the Congressional Gold Medal, America's highest civilian honor, for their service on June 27, 2012, in Washington, DC.

After completing his military service, Robert returned to Georgia, where he attended Morehouse College, focusing his studies on finance. In about 1953 and headed to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. There, he met a veteran accountant who became both a mentor and benefactor, offering a unique opportunity to the young Black accountant. While living in Milwaukee, “Bob”, as he became affectionately known, met a young widow from Detroit named Ollie Hampton, through mutual friendship with her relatives. After a successful courtship, they were married in July 1961, bringing together a family with Kevin and Ina, and later welcoming their daughter, Lisa.

Upon relocating to Detroit, Robert was unable to secure a position as an accountant because of systemic barriers of the time. He drove a cab and worked for the C.W. Morris Funeral Home, the business of a family friend, and later secured employment at the Chrysler Sterling Stamping Plant in Sterling Heights, Michigan. He dedicated 30 years of service to the plant as a journeyman, retiring in 1993 with an award for perfect attendance. At one point, he also balanced a second job as the evening Lead Custodian for the Detroit Public Schools at the Schools Center Building. Throughout, he remained a working relationship with his longtime friend, C.W. Morris as family friends frequently made special requests for him to personally oversee the interment of their loved ones.

Bob was a dedicated and active member of Peoples Community Church, which he joined because his wife’s prior membership. He served his congregation faithfully as a Steward, a member of the usher board, the finance committee, and the Men’s Group. He could also frequently be found working hard in the church kitchen.

For Bob and Ollie family time was marked by experiences meant to cement family connectedness, provide fun and exposure, fine dining and picnics, breakfast on the backyard patio, spontaneous family vacations and travel across the country to visit relatives were common occurrences. A shared appreciation of exploration and social connection was part of life for the couple and for over 30 years, he held dedicated memberships in both the Guys and Dolls Couples Club and the Pig Skin Peepers football club. Alongside his beloved wife, Ollie, these clubs became a vehicle for adventure, sharing travel and attending Super Bowl games together.

Bob and Ollie moved to Town Square in 1968 and the 1100 block of St. Aubin became a place of comradery and important friendships over the years. With many neighbors becoming chosen family. Bob was dubbed the mayor and garnered overwhelming support during the decline and eventual passing of his partner in crime, Ollie.

Robert leaves to cherish and rejoice in his memory his three children, one son, Kevin, and two daughters, Ina, and Lisa (Alva); six grandchildren, Kevin, Kellen, Anteya, Bridgette, Bethany, and Robert; three great-grandchildren, Amir, Mahari, and Kingston; one brother, Mickey Hassler (Thomasena); nieces, Cynthia Jackson (Lawrence) and Denise Childs; nephew, Adolphus Mitchell; along with a host of other beloved nephews, nieces, cousins, relatives, and friends.