Bob Englebrecht
DeWayne Robert “Bob” Englebrecht, 88, of Ludington passed, away on Tuesday, December 30, 2025. Bob was born on December 30, 1937, in Scottville, the son of Theodore and Bessie (Smith) Englebrecht and graduated from Scottville High School with the class of 1956. On February 17, 1962, he wed Doris L. Babbin and they celebrated 62 years together before Doris preceded him in death on February 17, 2024. Bob was also preceded in death by his parents; his sisters Patricia Brown and Charlene Jagow; and his brother Frederick.
After high school Bob served his country with the United States Army. Following his discharge from service he returned to Scottville where he worked for George Towns Trucking and then at Harbison-Walker in Ludington before completing detective school sponsored by the Ludington Police Department in 1969. Upon completing the course, Bob began his career in law enforcement for Mason County, first as a detective with the Mason County Sheriff’s Office before serving as the friend of the court inspector. In 1977, Mason County Sheriff Walt Carrier asked Bob if he would consider serving as undersheriff – a role Bob enjoyed very much. As Walt was retiring in 1984, Bob decided to run for sheriff and served our community until his retirement on December 31, 1988.
One of the programs introduced under Bob’s leadership was “Vial of Life” where one would write their pertinent medical information and place it in a vial in their freezer. In case of an emergency, medical personnel could easily obtain the information needed to properly care for the individual and contact relatives. Bob also initiated the Discovery Camp for Boys that was held each summer in remote Oceana County. Over the years, Bob and Doris provided foster/shelter care for several kids in the community who needed guidance and direction in their lives.
Bob loved woodworking and shared his love as a 4-H leader. When Doris retired from the sheriff’s office, they moved to Paradise where Bob turned their garage into his woodworking shop and spent much time making all things wooden. Bob also served as a weather monitor for the area – measuring temperature, rain and snowfall amounts and reporting to the National Weather Service. This led to him to also work as a trail groomer in the winter, providing safer trails for the many cross-country skiers and snowmobilers who visited the Paradise area.
Faith was an integral part of Bob and Doris’s foundation. They were charter members of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Scottville where Bob served as an elder as well as a Sunday School teacher and youth leader and later became members of St. John Lutheran Church in Cheboygan.
Bob will be greatly missed by his children, Robert (Michelle) Englebrecht of Central Lake, Mark (Corrina) Englebrecht of Custer, Diane Englebrecht (Shane Reed) of Ludington, and Dr. Amy Englebrecht of Park City, Utah; his grandchildren Courtney (Shawn) Pomorski of Newaygo, Mark (Katie) Englebrecht Jr., Joel (Sarah) Englebrecht and Danielle Stark, all of Custer, and Kylee Stark of Ludington; 10 great-grandchildren; his sisters-in-law, Patsy Strayer of Scottville and Ruth Babbin of Ludington; along with numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, foster kids, and great friends made over a lifetime of service.
Funeral services will be held for Bob at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 10 at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Scottville with Rev. Kenneth Williamson, Pastor Pete Engblade, and Pastor Dave Goehmann officiating. Burial with Honor Guard rites will take place at Center Riverton Cemetery later this spring. Friends may meet with Bob’s family on Saturday morning from 10 a.m. until time of services at the church. Those who would like to remember Bob with a memorial donation are asked to please consider Hospice of Michigan, or the Friends of the Mason County Sheriff’s Office.
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