38 | OCTOBER 15 • 2020 

Soul
of blessed memory

Devoted To Judaism
R

obert N. Canvasser, 
95, of West 
Bloomfield, died Oct. 
7, 2020. 
He was born in Detroit 
in 1924 to Charles and Ada 
Canvasser, the third of four 
boys. He graduated from 
Central High School in 
1943. Following graduation, 
he enlisted in the Army and 
was honorably discharged 
in 1945. He spent the rest 
of his life in the real estate 
business with his three 
brothers, going to work 
even when he was not feel-
ing well.
He met the love of his life, 
Beverly, in 1950 and soon 
they were married. Beverly 
was not only his wife but 
also his life. They raised 
four children who married 
and gave them many grand-
children and great-grand-
children, who to this day 
follow in the couple’
s foot-
steps of love and devotion 
to family and Judaism.
Robert was involved in 
Temple Beth El and reli-
gious causes his entire life. 
He was confirmed in 1939 
and later graduated from 
the temple high school in 
1942. His confirmation ser-
vice was called “Be Strong 
and of Good Courage,” a 
message he followed to the 
end.
Mr. Canvasser was a life 
member of the Isaac Agree 
Memorial Society, which 
later became known as the 
Downtown Synagogue. 
Robert and Beverly spent 
their lives working for 

charitable causes. 
His life revolved 
around Temple 
Beth El: He was 
president of the 
Young Married 
Group in 1958 and 
became president 
of the of Temple 
Beth El Men’
s Club 
in the early 1960s. 
In 1969, he became the 45th 
president of Temple Beth 
El and served until 1973. 
He was instrumental in the 
building of and fundraising 
for the building at 14 Mile 
and Telegraph. Beverly 
served as president of the 
sisterhood at the same time.
In 1969, he was elected 
to the executive board of 
the National Federation of 
Temple Brotherhoods and 
the Jewish Chautauqua 
Society. The following 
year, he became its vice 
president. In 1974, he was 
chairman of the Synagogue 
Council of Greater Detroit, 
an organization of Reform, 
Conservative and Orthodox 
congregations. 
From 1976 to 1984, 
Robert served as a member 
of the board of trustees 
of the Union of American 
Hebrew Congregations, the 
governing board of Reform 
Congregations in the United 
States. He also served on the 
board of the Hebrew Union 
College-Jewish Institute of 
Religion.
He actively worked for 
Henry Ford Hospital West 
Bloomfield, which was so 
instrumental in saving his 

life. He also served 
on the board of 
Henry Ford Hospital 
West Bloomfield, the 
Heart and Vascular 
Institute and the 
Structural Heart 
Program. He helped 
raise funds and 
secure approval for 
the construction of 
the West Bloomfield facil-
ity, which serves so many 
people in the area. Reform 
Judaism, Temple Beth El 
and Henry Ford Hospital 
all benefited from the 
Canvassers’
 devotion. He 
was a giant of a man who 
will be greatly missed.
Mr. Canvasser is sur-
vived by his children, Eric 
and Debbie Canvasser, 
Dr. David and Kathie 
Canvasser, Cheryl and Dr. 
Ronald Kerwin, and Mark 
and Marla Canvasser; 
grandchildren, Jason and 
Anne Canvasser, Daniel 
Canvasser and Dr. Lindsey 
Rossman, Jeffrey and 
Joel Canvasser, Rebekah 
Canvasser, Dr. Noah and 
Jennifer Canvasser, Hannah 
and Jason Kessler, Dr. Leah 
Canvasser and her fiancé, 
Dr. Kevin Ratnasamy, Dr. 
Lenny and Kim Kerwin, 
Richard and Samantha 
Kerwin, Heather and Jeffrey 
Vieder, Lauren and Jordan 
Yellen, Amanda and Dan 
Goldberg, Lindsay and 
Dr. Jeff Waldman, and 
Elizabeth and Michael 
Emmer; great-grandchil-
dren, Jonah, Brynn, Jack, 
Hudson, Madison, Zachary, 

and Elijah Canvasser, Ezra 
Kessler, Bennett, Shaye, Ella, 
and Chase Kerwin, Paige 
and Brody Vieder, Connor 
Yellen and Lyla Goldberg; 
brother and sister-in-
law, Byron and Maxine 
Canvasser; sister-in-law, 
Natalie Canvasser. He is 
also survived by his former 
daughter-in-law, Joanne 
Kapetansky; and his loving 
and devoted caregiver, Gigi 
James.
Mr. Canvasser was the 
beloved husband for 65 
years of the late Beverly 
Canvasser; the proud 
great-grandfather of the late 
Micah Canvasser; the devot-
ed son of the late Charles 
and the late Ada Canvasser; 
the loving brother of the 
late Donald Canvasser, the 
late Marvin A. and the late 
Elaine Canvasser.
Interment was at Clover 
Hill Park Cemetery. 
Contributions may be made 
to the Beverly and Robert 
Canvasser Compassion 
Fund, c/o Henry Ford 
Hospital West Bloomfield, 
6777 W. Maple Road, West 
Bloomfield Township, MI 
48322, henryford.com/
development; Hospice of 
Michigan-Oakland County, 
43097 Woodward Ave., 
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302, 
hom.org/donations; Temple 
Beth El, 7400 Telegraph, 
Bloomfield Hills, MI 
48301, tbeonline.org/dona-
tion-page; or to a charity of 
one’
s choice. Arrangements 
by Ira Kaufman Chapel. 

Robert Canvasser

