Robert Howard Hynes passed away peacefully on August 30, 2021. He was born September 28, 1931 in Saginaw, Michigan, the youngest of seven children, to William Patrick and Marie (Daoust) Hynes. His mother died when he was an infant and he was raised by Beatrice Cecelia and Julius Feldman. Robert graduated with a B.S. in Architecture from the University of Florida's School of Architecture and Allied Arts in Gainesville in 1954, where he had a memorable encounter with Frank Lloyd Wright. He then served in the U.S. Army stationed in Germany, receiving an honorable discharge in 1957. Robert married Joann Mary Samuel on June 25, 1955 and she joined him in Germany where their first child was born in 1956. They returned to Michigan where he spent his career as a registered architect with Alden B. Dow Associates in Midland, a job he loved until his retirement in 1996. Robert was also a member of the American Institute of Architects. Although he was a Florida Gator, he loved the University of Michigan Wolverines. He held season football tickets for over forty years and attended home and away games into his eighties. Robert enjoyed traveling with Joann, and they traveled extensively throughout the U.S., visiting all fifty states. The sporting events and activities of his grandchildren gave him special joy. In his younger years, he loved to fish and had a special fondness for deep sea fishing in Florida. Robert was an avid reader with a strong intellectual curiosity, military pride, and love for history and politics. He was recognized by the Literacy Council for his volunteer efforts in teaching children and adults to read, as well as tutoring in math and English as a second language.
Robert was predeceased by three sisters: Margaret Hynes Skeltis, Therese Hynes Prast, Eileen Hynes Kilbourn and two brothers, Gerald Hynes and Rupert Hynes. Private graveside services with immediate family will be held at a later date.