Robert A. "Bob" Brinkman, age 81, of Tawas City died on Friday, Jan. 17, 2014 at Tawas St. Joseph Hospital. He was born on Aug. 18, 1932 in Delphos, Ohio to the late Joseph and Lenore Brinkman. Bob served during the Vietnam War in the United States Air Force and was honorably discharged after 20 years of service. He worked as an auto mechanic at Herb's Auto and later at Zubek Motors. Bob enjoyed entertaining at the Iosco Medical Care Facility and the Senior Center for 20 years playing and singing and also participating in the senior band in Oscoda. He was known to many as "Uncle Bob" and he loved his Country Western music and was always found wearing a cowboy hat. Bob is survived by his companion, Ruth Coleman; daughter, Laurie (Rick) Rakestraw of Port Charlotte, Fla.; three sisters, JoAnn Klausing, Ruth Klima and Marge (Gene) Price; brother and sisters-in-laws, Donna Brinkman, Gary (Delores) Whitford, Sherry Meske, Roger Whitford (Barb), Ronald Whitford (Susie), Larry (Kathy) Whitford, Bill (Sandy) Whitford, Dennis (Patti) Whitford and Terry (Jane) Whitford; three grandchildren, Jamie (Andrea) Rakestraw, Benji (Laura) Rakestraw and Amanda (Kevin) Dillon; five great grandchildren, Nicholas Rakestraw, Ethan Rakestraw, Tess Rakestraw, Liliana Dillon and Owen Dillon; along with several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by wife, Pat (Whitford) Brinkman on Dec. 9, 2000; brother, Jerry; brothers-in-law, Donald Klausing and Leonard Klima; and sisters-in-law, Kay Stephan and Fay Whitford. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, Jan. 23 at 11 a.m. at Buresh Funeral Home in Tawas City. The family will receive friends on Wednesday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Condolences may be offered at www.bureshfuneralhomes.com.