Robert H. LaZebnik died on July 20, 2023 in Jackson after an extended illness.
Clark Lake will miss Bob. Boaters passing by the shoreline will remember his friendly wave. It doesn’t stop there. Bob and his wife, Laurie, contributed greatly to Clark Lake history in a way no one could have predicted. They donated their Kentucky Point cottage to become the Community Center, but how that happened will forever leave an imprint. It took many steps for the structure to be relocated to the County Park. People are amazed to this day on how the structure was saved by floating it down the lake, and then restored. Bob and Laurie were key players all the way and continued to support the project through the first restoration, and through the more recent second restoration.
Those interested in how this happened will enjoy watching this video. Laurie narrates part of it, and you’ll see Bob’s comments from a TV news story, as preparations for the move progressed.
While moving the house was breaking news, Bob’s 93 years encompassed much more. Bob was born July 31, 1929, in Jackson, the fourth son of Abraham (Sam) LaZebnik and Edith (Isenberg) LaZebnik. His first job was driving trucks for his family’s business, Sam’s Iron & Metal. It was during WWII. He was 13. Bob attended Jackson Junior College, University of Michigan, Columbia University in NYC, the Gemological Institute of America, and University of Arizona. He graduated Mexico City College in 1950 with a BFA in Art and Theater after which he produced short fairy tale films.
Between 1959 and 2002 he incorporated six companies in Jackson. LaZebnik Investment built office buildings, the Commercial Exchange is an office, warehouse and manufacturing site, Educator Sales manufactured modular school buildings, Airmaster Fan manufactured air moving fans and blowers, RHL Investment is a warehouse and manufacturing site, and the Falahee Road Corporation is a land holding company. Bob became a real estate broker, purchased, and operated three industrial manufacturing companies, was recognized by the American Supply, Machinery and Manufacturing Association with the American Eagle Award, the Jackson Area Manufacturer’s Heritage Hall of Fame Award, and the Reynolds Field Outstanding Service Award. He was active as president of Temple Beth Israel and the B’nai B’rith Men’s Association.
Bob was a professional race car driver from 1968 to 1976. He drove a GSM Delta, a Lotus Cortina, a BMW2002 and a Chevrolet Monza in the IMSA RSJ/SCCA Sports Car Circuit. He became a Central Division SCCA National Champion for B Sedan in 1970 and again in 1971 and holds an unbroken record at Michigan International Speedway’s Road Course in the BF Goodrich Radial Endurance Road Race of 1971.
Bob performed in Leroy Anderson’s “Typewriter” in 1984 with 18 other Jackson dignitaries, all on typewriters, and in 1992 he played Mother Ginger in the Nutcracker Ballet with the Grand Rapids Ballet and JSO at JCC’s Potter Center. He produced the opera “Echoes of Children” in 1990 at Potter Center and again at the Detroit Opera House, commissioned and produced the opera “Abraham and Hanna” in 1993 at Potter Center, and at the U of M School of Music. He produced the stage play, “Sam & Itke” in 1989 at JCC, at the JET Theater in West Bloomfield and off-Broadway in NYC at the American Jewish Theater. He produced another stage play, “The Billiard Game” at JCC, and the Ann Arbor Civic Theater in 1993, and produced yet another stage play, “Dybbuk’s Revenge,” at JCC in 1993. In 2008 he produced a “Family of the Arts” weekend at JCC with workshops on feature film production, writing for movies and TV, culminating in the stage play “Rachel Calof.” He organized and produced speakers and art shows and a newly released Disney film at JCC and at Ella Sharp Museum.
In 2010 he commissioned an 8-foot steel cello and donated it to JCC’s Potter Center; in 2011 he commissioned an 8-foot bronze WWII monument and donated it to the Aviation Heritage Park at Jackson County Airport and later commissioned two other airplane sculptures.
The same year he commissioned a stained-glass memorial honoring the 102nd Civil War Regiment US Colored Troops and donated it to Ella Sharp Museum. He commissioned an 8-foot woman’s boot in 2013 to honor the Millers Family Shoe Store’s 100 anniversary and donated it to Ella Sharp Museum.
Bob & Laurie
Bob is survived by his wife of 50 years, Laurice (Hartman) LaZebnik, his three daughters Marcella LaZebnik, Laura Wachler and Gabrielle Lofgren and grandson Rene Lofgren and husband Randy, his son Paul LaZebnik and wife Julie Goler, his four grandchildren, Rene, Carina and Mia Lofgren and Jessica Wachler as well as nephew and nieces. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by brothers Dr. William Lannik, Herb and Jack LaZebnik, sisters Zelda Gerow and Jeanette Bernhard and granddaughter Michelle Wachler.
Bob was interred at the Temple Beth Israel cemetery in Jackson.
