Robert Leon "Pat" Pohl

      Robert Leon “Pat” Pohl, age 81, of Ovid, MI, passed away Wednesday, January 3, 2024, at his home surrounded by his family.

      A Memorial Service will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes – Houghton Chapel, Ovid, MI, at 12:00 P.M. on Saturday, January 6, 2024, with Rev. Fr. Anthony Brooks and Mr. Everett Smith officiating.  Visitation will be held on Saturday, January 6, 2024, until the time of the service at the funeral home.  Burial will take place at a later date at Reed Cemetery, Laingsburg, MI.

     Pat was born in St. Johns, MI, on July 8, 1942, the son of Allie N. and Leona (Hoppes) Pohl.  He was a graduate of Rodney B. Wilson High School in St. Johns, with the Class of 1960. Pat served in the U.S. National Guard.  On December 30, 1965, he married Gaye A. Trombley, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in St. Johns, MI.  They celebrated their 58^th wedding anniversary on December 30, 2023.

     Pat and Gaye lived in Elsie for 26 years, where they raised their 6 children.  Gardening was his passion. Pat was known for his productive and nearly weedless garden.  After 36 years of work at General Motors, he and Gaye moved to Paonia, Colorado, where he turned the high desert terrain surrounding his house, into a productive vegetable garden.  The Home Economics teacher at the local high school would take her class on a field trip to Pat’s house to learn the finer points of canning.  He passed on the legacy of sauerkraut and horseradish making (better than Ron’s) to his children.  The couple spent 19 years in Colorado, where in addition to gardening, Pat managed a ranch.

     In 2015, Pat and Gaye moved back to Michigan to be closer to their children.  He loved watching his children and grandchildren participate in various sports.  Pat loved his family most of all.  He loved farming and ranching.  Pat enjoyed playing euchre.  He was a Golden Glove Boxer for several years, winning many championships and making lifelong friends.  Pat was known for his dad jokes and good-natured manner.

     He is survived by his wife Gaye Pohl; daughter Lisa and Bret Ruess, son Rob and Lisa Pohl, daughter Tracie and Erick Minnard, daughter Shannon and Tom Hurst, son Chris Pohl, and son Jordan and Erica Pohl; 20 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren with one on the way; sister Dorothy and Mike Bertram.  Pat is also survived by several nieces, nephews, and many, many close friends.  Pat was preceded in death by his parents, grandson Jagger Pohl, siblings: Jeanette Powers, Carol Mueller, Betty Hale, Kate Prowant, Ronald Pohl, Michael Pohl, Norman Pohl, Mary Jane Pohl, and John Peter Pohl.

     Memorials may be made to Memorial Healthcare Hospice.  Online condolences may be made at www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com.  The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes – Houghton Chapel, Ovid, Michigan.