Robert “Bob” Bruce Zuehlke peacefully departed from this world on October 19, 2023, at the age of 72 surrounded by the love of his wife and sons and the sounds of Buddhist chanting. He was born on September 18, 1951, in Jackson, Michigan, and leaves behind a legacy of a loving family, friends around the world, working for world peace, and cherished memories.

To those who knew him, Bob was a man of curiosity, compassion, and humor (including an impressive ability to craft a bad pun). He had a deep appreciation for the beauty of words, finding solace and inspiration in poetry. His love for music and nature was contagious.

A devoted family man, Bob held his loved ones close to his heart. He leaves behind his beloved wife, Yuko, and their three sons, Eric, Kai, and Robert. He was a proud grandfather to Leo, Koji, August, Rosie, Naima, and Luna, cherishing each moment spent with them and imparting wisdom and love.

Bob's journey took him from Jackson, Michigan to the entire world. While pursuing his Master’s degree at Michigan State University, he came across a brochure for the State Department and immediately knew it was his career calling. He passed the foreign service exam on his first try and spent over 25 years in a career that took him to Switzerland, Hong Kong, Thailand, and the Philippines where he and Yuko built friendships and supported the growth of local English-speaking SGI communities.

Bob touched the lives of countless family members, friends, colleagues, and strangers with his gentle spirit, warm heart, and sincere and honest character. He always put his Buddhist practice into action, using his experience of overcoming struggles he faced as an opportunity to encourage others.

In honor of Bob's life, a memorial service will be held on November 19 at 3pm at the SGI-USA Buddhist Center located at 3417 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC 20007 and over Zoom. This gathering will provide an opportunity for family and friends to come together, share stories and memories, celebrate Bob’s life, and bid farewell to a beloved soul.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that contributions be made to the Michael J Fox Foundation, a charitable organization dedicated to finding a cure for Parkinson's disease. 

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