Robert Lee Couture

Robert Lee Couture, age 70, passed on Jan. 2, 2019 from a heart attack, taking the laughter from our hearts. Born in Bay City, Mich. Dec. 21, 1948, the son of Francis Joseph Couture and Veronica Margaret Adamski, young Bob loved baseball, his family and acting. He was active in the theater at his Alma Mater, Central Michigan University, as well as the Bay City Players. Bob’s work career included teaching in Bay City, Mich. and Fountain Hills and a publishing career managing Josten’s Yearbooks in the Pacific Northwest.

Bob and the love of his life, Cindy, together since college, moved to the Seattle area in 1978, drawn by the ocean, the mountains and the lakes. There, they raised two sons, Christopher Robert and Andrew (Drew) Patrick.

In 2004, following the call of the desert, Bob and Cindy moved to Fountain Hills where he resurrected his former teaching career at the local high school. Retired in 2014, Bob enjoyed life filled with grandchildren, hiking, gardening, riding his Harley, home remodeling, his dogs and cat and his many friends in Fountain Hills.

Bob was known for his wit, his contagious laugh and his loving and caring personality. No matter what group or project he was a part of, Bob’s handyman skills made it better. Bob loved to entertain, to make people laugh and to volunteer for others. Bob was a man with a sweet child’s heart, who could delight a crying toddler by speaking duck or find a Gambel quail’s shape in a peanut shell. He held strong political and human rights beliefs.

Bob’s main mission in life — he wrote it out and framed it — was to provide happiness and love for Cindy and his sons. He was Chris and Drew’s go-to guy on everything from handyman jobs to philosophy. To Cindy, he was the boulder she leaned on, always ready to support and strengthen her — always ready to lower her stress with a laugh. Bob played Chip to Cindy’s Joanna Gaines as they remodeled every one of the seven homes they shared together. Bob loved to read and watch science fiction; any science fiction. He could read Arthur C. Clarke one day and watch “Austin Powers” the next.

Bob’s strong friendships were made forever, from childhood in Michigan to across the country and across the world. He has found many brothers from another mother and kept them close. He was a mentor for many of his high school students and a prime example of a great human being for us all. He lived for fun and loved every bit of life.

Bob was a past member of Sunset Kiwanis, Progressive Men’s Club, the Paradox Poker Club and the Fountain Hills Democratic Club. He loved attending classes with Sonoran Desert Conservancy and volunteered with Fearless Kitty and the LD 23 Democrats.

Besides his wife and sons, Bob is survived by daughters-in-law, Claire and Roxanne; and grandchildren Vivienne and Juliette. Bob was preceded in death by his brother Ted Couture. He is also survived by a sister, Carole (Eli) Diaz; brother, Paul (Barbara) Couture and brother, Larry (Sylvia) Couture, as well as sisters-in-law, Marcey (John) Short, Ellen (Jim) Gasta and brother-in-law, Christopher (Deanna) Homrich and numerous nephews and nieces. He will be especially missed by his loyal Tibetan Terrier, Finney.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Fountains Methodist Church on Wednesday, Jan. 9, at 6:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, a donation to the INN Project in Bob’s name for Border Wall Refugees would be appreciated. Make donations through the Fountains Methodist Church.