Robert "Bob" Guenzel died February 8, 2026, following a long decline caused by Lewy Body Dementia. Services are planned for Sunday, June 28 at The Ark, 316 S. Main Street, Ann Arbor. Doors open at 1:30; program begins at 2:15.
Guenzel was born in Detroit on November 22, 1941, and graduated from Grosse Pointe High School in 1960. He earned both his bachelor's and law degrees from the University of Michigan. During his time at Michigan, he attended the historic speech where John F. Kennedy announced the creation of the Peace Corps. Kennedy's vision for how good government can help regular people informed the entirety of Guenzel’s long and fulfilling career in public service.
Guenzel began his professional work with the National Labor Relations Board then became an Ann Arbor Assistant City Attorney and subsequently Corporation Counsel for Washtenaw County, then partner of the law firm Harris, Lax, Gregg & Guenzel. He was appointed Washtenaw County Administrator in 1994, retiring in 2010.
Guenzel was instrumental in the creation of the Delonis Center, which provides a range of supportive services and a safe place to sleep for the County's unhoused. An inaugural member of the Ark's Board of Directors, Bob served on that body for 50 years and led the capital campaign that secured the Ark's permanent performance space. He taught a leadership course at the Ford School for several years after retirement. He served for ten years on the Downtown Development Authority. His volunteer service also included the United Way, the Washtenaw Housing Alliance, the Shelter Association, the Washtenaw Literacy Coalition, the Sister Yvonne Fund, and Ann Arbor SPARK, among others.
Please consider a donation to the Shelter Association of Washtenaw County, the Washtenaw Housing Alliance, or to The Ark's Bob Guenzel Capacity-Building Fund.
Guenzel is survived by his beloved wife of 60 years, Pamela Isley Guenzel; daughters Robin Guenzel of Auckland, New Zealand; Elizabeth Guenzel (Jeff) of Salt Lake City, Utah; grandchildren Katie Guenzel-Reilly; and Win Van Blarcom, Abby Van Blarcom; sister Marilyn Eko; nephew Korey Eko (Maggie); niece Heidi Jackman; brother and sister-in-law Mark and Rhonda Isley; nieces Taylor Martel and Carlisle Isley; and countless friends in Ann Arbor and around the world.
Guenzel was born in Detroit on November 22, 1941, and graduated from Grosse Pointe High School in 1960. He earned both his bachelor's and law degrees from the University of Michigan. During his time at Michigan, he attended the historic speech where John F. Kennedy announced the creation of the Peace Corps. Kennedy's vision for how good government can help regular people informed the entirety of Guenzel’s long and fulfilling career in public service.
Guenzel began his professional work with the National Labor Relations Board then became an Ann Arbor Assistant City Attorney and subsequently Corporation Counsel for Washtenaw County, then partner of the law firm Harris, Lax, Gregg & Guenzel. He was appointed Washtenaw County Administrator in 1994, retiring in 2010.
Guenzel was instrumental in the creation of the Delonis Center, which provides a range of supportive services and a safe place to sleep for the County's unhoused. An inaugural member of the Ark's Board of Directors, Bob served on that body for 50 years and led the capital campaign that secured the Ark's permanent performance space. He taught a leadership course at the Ford School for several years after retirement. He served for ten years on the Downtown Development Authority. His volunteer service also included the United Way, the Washtenaw Housing Alliance, the Shelter Association, the Washtenaw Literacy Coalition, the Sister Yvonne Fund, and Ann Arbor SPARK, among others.
Please consider a donation to the Shelter Association of Washtenaw County, the Washtenaw Housing Alliance, or to The Ark's Bob Guenzel Capacity-Building Fund.
Guenzel is survived by his beloved wife of 60 years, Pamela Isley Guenzel; daughters Robin Guenzel of Auckland, New Zealand; Elizabeth Guenzel (Jeff) of Salt Lake City, Utah; grandchildren Katie Guenzel-Reilly; and Win Van Blarcom, Abby Van Blarcom; sister Marilyn Eko; nephew Korey Eko (Maggie); niece Heidi Jackman; brother and sister-in-law Mark and Rhonda Isley; nieces Taylor Martel and Carlisle Isley; and countless friends in Ann Arbor and around the world.
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