Little did they know when junior high student Bob Howey delivered Rosemary Button’s family newspaper on his route, the two would celebrate 60 years of marriage in 2003.
‘I was her paper boy,? Bob, 82, said.
‘He was a smart alec,? Rosemary, 80, revealed, with hand shielding her comment from Bob. ‘He still is. My dad was real tall and when Bob would come to the door to collect his pay, my dad would say, ‘I’ll take care of this,? so he could give Bob a hard time.?
Both born and raised in Pontiac, Bob lived in Rosemary’s neighborhood, but on different streets. Bob lived right behind Rosemary’s sister and brother-in-law’s home.
‘We were friends for a long time,? he said. ‘We didn’t date until high school.?
‘We played ball and used to hang under the street light. My mother let us stay out after dark. We thought we were hot stuff,? Rosemary remembers.
They can’t recall what they did on their first date, but Bob says, ‘We probably went to Ted’s Trailer,? a hot dog stand, and popular hangout, at the corner of Woodward and Square Lake.
On May 22, 1943, the two married in West Monroe, La., where Bob was in training with the Army Air Force. He served as a navigational instructor from 1943 to 1945 and was in the Reserve Corps for 10 years following.
At the time, cadets were not allowed to be married. So Bob had to seek permission with his commanding officer who had to seek permission from Congress to bless Bob’s marriage to Rosemary.
Early on in their marriage, and in the midst of World War II, Bob and Rosemary were often apart because of Bob’s commitment to the Army.
Rosemary would often come back to Michigan, where she worked for the draft board in Pontiac.
She would travel a 36-hour train ride from Detroit to Monroe to see Bob. ‘Back then, they had old steam engines. You’d be a mess by the time you got there; just so dirty.?
They moved around a lot for the service from Louisiana to Georgia to Massachusetts to Washington.
‘We moved from different places. We’d stay wherever we could find a room,? Rosemary said.
Often times that meant with other military couples.
After the war, the Howeys returned to Pontiac and began raising their family. Soon their place couldn’t hold them and they relocated in 1955 to Clarkston into a home Bob built on Pine Knob Lane.
Bob and Rosemary say they have been fortunate with the raising of their children. There’s Michael, in West Grove, Pa., 57, a business administrator for a Philadelphia area school system; Lon, in Reynoldsburg, Ohio, 56, a home service representative for a lifeline equipment and service provider; and Lynn, in Byron Centre, Mich., 54, who tutors language arts for the disabled.
‘All are assets to society,? Rosemary said, who worked 20 years with Independence Township, retiring as Director of Elections in 1992. ‘I’ve always felt that way about our kids. They’re very conscientious, and are successful with their jobs. We put three people into society that have improved it.? The Howeys also have three grandchildren: Julie, Meghan and Cora.
Throughout their marriage, they say they’ve had no major arguments. ‘We’ve had our disagreements,? Rosemary admits, ‘but no knock down drag down fights.? Except, if Rosemary gets in Bob’s way when he’s cooking in the kitchen.
‘He does all the cooking. He’s a wonderful cook. If I did the cooking all we’d have is soup and sandwiches. With him, we have fresh fruit, two to three vegetables’which is probably why we’re still here.? Both our healthy and active.
Though, in 1977, Bob ? who was ‘in the car business? before retirement with two used car lots in Pontiac among other ventures ? was told he only had five years left to live. He has had two heart attacks since then, but he keeps bouncing back. The Howeys? children call him ‘Miracle Dad.?
So, as they approach 60 years, what do they attribute to having such a successful marriage?
?’When people ask that,? Bob said, ‘I tell them ‘None of your damn business.??
‘I say, ‘Because he gives me my own way,?? Rosemary said.
Joking aside, ‘One of the most important things is respect for each other;? Rosemary said, adding, ‘and respect for each other’s space.? For example, she explains, she has her own space in the house with her Web TV and VCR. While, he has his own space where he does his crossword puzzles or watches television.
‘If you have these two things, I don’t know how you can miss,? she said.
‘There is one other facet,? Bob said, ‘trust.?
‘Oh, I guess I just took that for granted,? she says to Bob.
‘I knew I would never meet another girl like this one.?