5.9.2006

For Public Release

Robert Charles Hughes

Robert Charles Hughes, a former University of Michigan housing and development director who, in the decade since his retirement, presided over one of Michigan's most elegant bed & breakfasts, died May 9 in Florida after a brief illness. He was 69. As he had for 32 years at UM, shepherding projects, mentoring students and advising the Men's Glee Club, Bob reveled in his role as innkeeper, welcoming guests from many countries to Thistledowne at Seul Choix, on Lake Michigan near Gulliver, in the Upper Peninsula. Born in Flint, Bob graduated from UM in 1958 with a B.A. in Psychology, obtaining a Master's in Education in 1960. After a brief tenure as a guidance counselor, he joined the UM Housing Division in 1964 as South Quad Director. In 1978, he was named Director of Housing, a position he held until 1993, when he was named Executive Director of Development for Student Affairs. He retired three years later, setting off to build Thistledowne with the pride and confidence of a person who had seen two major UM projects to completion: the Northwood V Housing complex and the Family Housing Community Center, both on North Campus. Warm and engaging, Bob was sincerely interested in other people, befriending everyone from grocery clerks to the postmaster in tiny Gulliver. He cared about their success, offering advice and encouragement to those in need of a sounding board. As faculty adviser to the UM Men's Glee Club in the 1990s, Bob helped club members with everything from academics to financial aid and accompanied the club on tours to Russia and South America. Bob also formed lasting friendships with many of the UM football and basketball players he mentored. In addition he served as Secretary of the Ann Arbor Rotary Club for many years, and was accorded the distinction as a Paul Harris Fellow of Rotary International. Bob loved to travel and visited more than 40 countries. He also loved food, wine, classical music and the Michigan Wolverines and was a talented cook. He shared his sophisticated hospitality with family, friends and guests, for whom Thistledowne will always conjure fond memories. Bob is survived by his parents, Halley and Mary Louise Hughes; a son, Robert Jr., a daughter, Jeannette Vrieland and her husband Brian; two brothers and their wives, Richard and Susanne and James and Peg; two grandchilden, Jessalyn and Alicia Vrieland; several nieces, nephews and other relatives and many friends, as well as former wife Jane.

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