Addison Township residents are mourning the loss of life-long resident and community leader Robert Ousnamer following his sudden death Monday, Dec. 27, 2004. He was 80 years old.
‘We’re going to miss him,? said former township Trustee Pat Eisenhardt, who served on the board from 1988 to 2004. ‘He was a good man who served his community faithfully.?
After years of serving on several community boards, Mr. Ousnamer became Addison Township supervisor in 1975, fighting diligently for lower property taxes, gravelled roads and senior housing until retiring in 1988.
In addition, Mr. Ousnamer served on the board of directors for the Oakland County Conservation Association, was a district delegate of the Michigan Milk Producers Association, president for the Romeo Local Milk Producers Association, was a board member and secretary at the Redeemer Missionary Church, member of the Addison Township Lions club, and member and past Chairman Oakland County Association of Township Supervisors.
There is little wonder, according to daughters Janet Ousnamer, Joyce Griffin and Karen Amones, why their father was such a devoted caretaker of the community. They said it was his strong work ethic and deep compassion for his neighbors.
‘Dad loved the people, so he loved his job (as a supervisor),? said daughter Joyce.
‘He always cared about the community because it was where he was born, raised and lived,? Karen added. ‘He would do anything for anybody.?
In addition to being a local dairy and agricultural farmer who maintained more than a 1,000 acres of land, Mr. Ousnamer was also a caring husband to his late wife of 45 years Mabel and father of seven children (four boys and three girls). With little time to themselves, the Ousnamers often blended family time with serving community.
‘He and mom (hosted) breakfast meetings because everybody knew mom would have breakfast ready in the morning,? said Joyce Griffin as sister Karen chuckled, adding it was not unusual to skip down the stairs in the morning to find several community members at the table.
‘Mom was used to feeding a bunch,? she said.
Although breakfast was often a community event, daughter Janet said her father was adamant about family time at the dinner table.
‘We always had dinner together, no matter how late it was,? she said.
Even after he retired from public office in 1988, Ousnamer continued to dedicate as much commitment to the community as he did his family and farm.
According to his daughters, it was not uncommon to see him riding throughout the community checking on residents, seniors, and property that he considered his charge.
‘He loved riding around because he wanted to be out there and see what was needed,? daughter Karen said. ‘He wanted to be informed and walk in their shoes.?
With great compassion for both the seniors and farmers, Ousnamer was instrumental in bringing the senior center into the township building, and continually lobbied for senior housing and lower property tax benefits for farmers.
‘When he was elected as supervisor, he was always fighting with the count on assessments,? said long time neighbor Bob Koski, current supervisor of Addison Township.
‘He also took time and effort to actively fight for the farmers in the community, and gravelling the roads because he really felt the roads harmed the cars,? Koski said. ‘He was a good person to work with and a good Christian man.?
As a neighbor, everyone said there was not anything Ousnamer would not, or could not do to help.
While the definition of gentleman farmer is a man of independent means who farms chiefly for pleasure, Mr. Ousnamer was a farmer who was a gentleman, providing chiefly for his family, friends, and community.