Robert J. Bulger

Robert J Bulger, 42 of Westville, IN passed away Monday evening, April 27, 2020 in his home surrounded by his loved ones.  He was born August 4, 1977 in LaPorte, IN to Robert and Jayne (Miller) Bulger.  On March 20, 2004 in LaPorte, he married Melissa Mader, who survives.  Also surviving are his four children Ashten Orion (15), Hunter Sirius (14), Marra Aurora (13), and Rainier Nova (10), his parents Robert and Jayne Bulger of LaPorte, his five sisters, Jenny Houghton, Lisa Honeycutt, Beth Houghton, Becky Casteel, Crista Phillips, and his brother Ryan Bulger.  

Bob grew up in a tight knit community with only 23 in his graduating class of  Westville HS.  He was always part of a family, and even still today those same friends have made his family feel so important.  Bob graduated from Ball State University, and uncannily had also met a group of friends who have been part of his life to this day. Some of the wonderful memories Bob had shared with his kids came because of being friends with each of these fun-loving people, and every memory ended in smiles and laughter.  How one person could have gotten so lucky to not only find one lifetime friend, but to have a group of friends who truly are forever is remarkable. Bob loved fishing and hiking with his kids, and watching them grow into kind, caring respectful human beings.  He was also an avid gardener & landscaper.  He and his wife have grown and tended to thousands of plants, in particular hostas, to which he has over 100 different species.  They have collected, grown, planted, seeded, and sold plants from home the past 16 years as the “Square Potters”, and was proud of the landscape he developed around their home for his family to enjoy everyday.  

 He has earned many certifications in the landscape community, one being Master Gardener—Bob has always increased his knowledge in landscaping as well as his recent love of aquascaping so he could better serve his clients. In fact,when Bob was diagnosed with the rare disease ROS1+ stage 4 lung cancer, his researching aquascape helped Bob heal and recover from a stroke that was caused by the cancer 2 years ago. 

Bob’s gift was to find the good in everyone he met, which is why so many people adored him; his personality was magnetic.  His greatest accomplishments were his four kids; he adored and admired them and bragged about each one’s achievements and aspirations.  He was extremely loved, and greatly respected by so many in every aspect of his life.   There are not enough kind words to describe the man he was, but who he was to his wife and four kids was the world.  He gave them a beautiful life, and they are comforted by knowing part of him will be spread around their growing Sycamore tree so that when the seeds spread their wings and fly…so will Bob.   

At this time, there are no services for Robert. A celebration of life will be announced at a later date.  His care has been entrusted to the Newhard Funeral Home in Westville.

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