Robert L. Hundley was born on August 22, 1928 to Rev. Clifford and Elizabeth Hundley in Claude, Texas. His father was a pioneer pastor in the Assemblies of God, starting more churches than any AG pastor prior to 1960.  As a result of his father and mother’s commitment to plant new churches, the family moved frequently throughout Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Mississippi and Arkansas. As high school age young men, Bob and brothers Eddie and Raymond traveled as an evangelistic team of musicians and preachers with Bob serving as the musical leader of the team.  On June 5, 1949, Bob married Betty (Slankard) of Blytheville, Arkansas. They moved to Flint, Michigan where they spent over 40 years building their lives and family. Bob spent 20 years working for General Motors while also making music as a church musician and professional gospel singer, and learning the craft of Piano Technology.  He became a gifted piano tuner, repairman and rebuilder, with a thriving business including college contracts as well as concert halls.  He earned recognition as a 50 year member of the Piano Technicians Guild.

In 1990, Bob and Betty bought their retirement home on the Current River in Van Buren, MO where magnificent family memories were made.  In 2005, they moved to Maranatha Village in Springfield.  In June of 2019, they celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary, just a few months prior to Betty’s death.

Bob was an excellent musician, proficient on several instruments but primarily, the trombone.  He played the acoustic guitar, Steele Guitar, string bass, and sang, primarily as a gospel quartet singer.  At Riverside Tabernacle (Assemblies of God) in Flint, Bob was the instrumental director with a 30 piece band.

During their years in Van Buren, Bob and Betty joined the United Methodist Church where Bob was the primary musician offering his gifts each week in worship.  That continued when they moved to Maranatha Village until Macular Degeneration made it difficult for him to continue musical participation, which was heartbreaking for him.  The last 18 months have been very hard on Bob.  After Betty’s death in February of 2020, the Covid-19 crisis, his daughter’s death in August of 2020, moving to Assisted Living, and dealing with his own health decline in isolation, he finally succumbed to death on September 1, 2021.

Due to Covid-19 concerns, a family celebration for Bob and daughter, Judith with be held at a later date in Kennett, Missouri where Betty is buried.  In lieu of in-person gathering, remembrances and condolences may be sent to his son and family:

Rev. Dr. Robert Hundley, Senior Pastor

c/o First United Methodist Church

227 E Fulton Street

Grand Rapids, Michigan 49

Robert was predeceased by his wife, Betty; daughter, Judith; parents, Rev.  Clifford and Elizabeth Hundley; brother’s Rev. Eddie Hundley and Wesley Hundley, and sister, Naomi Baker.

Robert is survived by his son, Rev. Dr. Robert, Jr. (Pigeon) of Grand Rapids, Michigan; grandsons, Jared Willman (Lindsey) of Middleville, Michigan, and Robert C. Hundley of Augusta, Michigan. Two step-granddaughters; Emily Linderman of Palo Alto, California and Jessica Linderman of Grand Rapids, Michigan, four great-grandchildren, sisters Charlotte and Linda Hundley of Camp Hill, PA, and brother, Rev. Ray Hundley of Lake Charles, LA. plus many nephews, nieces and friends in many places.

A special ‘Thank you’ to the caregivers of Integrity Hospice and Maranatha Village Assisted Living and Nursing Care. Memorial Contributions are encouraged to Maranatha Village Chapel Fund in memory of Robert.