Bob Guenzel: Community Leader and Ark Champion
The Bob Guenzel Capacity Building Fund
While ticket sales, memberships and fundraising events support The Ark’s annual operations, gifts to the Bob Guenzel Capacity Building Fund help The Ark respond to challenges and opportunities by developing new programming, expanding audiences, and improving technology and infrastructure. Your gift helps assure The Ark will be here to enrich the spirits of generations of music lovers to come.
Bob Guenzel: Community Leader and Ark Champion
1941-2026
Year after year The Ark has proudly brought our community the best in emerging and legacy artists, thanks to the support of countless good friends and many community champions. Bob Guenzel was at the forefront of those champions.
In my mind, Bob was a giant of a man. He had a big heart. He loved his family and his community, and The Ark. He taught us about capacity building and resilience, personally and organizationally. We loved Bob and he will forever be in our hearts.
Kathryn Huss, Ark Board Chair and Charter Member
Although Bob was publicly best known for serving as Washtenaw County Administrator from 1994 until his retirement in 2010, that’s only part of his community leadership story.
His contribution to our community can’t be measured. I was lucky to know him.
Matt Watroba, Ark Charter Member
During his tenure as Washtenaw County Administrator and beyond, Bob supported The Ark and other community organizations in countless ways, putting his mark on many of the treasured nonprofits and life-saving services that Washtenaw County now enjoys. In particular, his ability to bring credibility and enthusiasm to fundraising campaigns in this community was one of his hallmarks.
He leaves a legacy of making the world a better place…. He was warm and smart, and caring while bringing his lawyer’s mind to solving problems. We are all much better for having known him.
Al Blixt, Ark Charter Member
Bob’s innate gift for collaboration, combined with his superb skills in facilitation, strategizing, and problem-solving, made him a highly sought-after volunteer leader. Organizations such as the Washtenaw Housing Alliance, United Way of Washtenaw County, Washtenaw Development Council, Literacy Coalition of Washtenaw County, Ann Arbor SPARK, and the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority are just a sampling of the organizations he impacted through the years. But his longest serving volunteer role was with The Ark.
Bob was an Ark hero to the highest degree. He supported Dave Siglin and Marianne James, The Ark’s staff leaders, through complex and challenging Ark situations and growth. Bob loved The Ark as an institution; and for the magnificent entertainment The Ark provided our community. He enthusiastically attended many-many Ark shows. Bob was a GIANT Ark advocate, supporter and enjoyer for many decades. And a great guy.
John Carver, Ark Charter Member
From guiding The Ark through its separation from the churches that originally founded it in the 1970’s to helping orchestrate the purchase of The Ark’s space in 2012 and leading the $3 million fundraising campaign to fund it, Bob continued to be involved in every significant challenge and opportunity that The Ark faced. His leadership roles included two tenures as Chair of The Ark’s Board of Directors, Chair of the Development Committee, Co-Chair of the Charter Members, and Chair of the 2013-2017 Campaign for The Ark. We can’t underestimate his contributions, big and small, day in and day out. The Ark is still here more than 60 years on thanks to Bob.
He was such a nice guy and truly a major force in keeping The Ark moving forward and on the right track. It wouldn’t be here today without him, his level-headed advice, his balanced guidance, and his steady effort. It’s an understatement to say I was lucky to have known him. He changed my life.
Dave Siglin, Honorary President, Ark Manager and Program Director 1968-2008, Ark Charter Member
In December 2024, Bob stepped down after serving for nearly 50 years on The Ark’s Board of Directors. His passing on February 8, 2026 is an unfathomable loss. He was a one-of-a-kind mentor and leader; an invaluable resource to staff, volunteers and fellow Board members. Most of all, he was an amazing friend.
Can’t even put together the best words, what a wonderful guy!
Margot Mehringer, Chair, Ark Charter Members
Bob was just the best. It was a privilege to know and work with him.
Jill McDonough, Ark Charter Member
In January 2025, The Ark established a Capacity Building Fund in honor of Bob, whose leadership emphasized thoughtful planning, adaptability, and investing in the organization’s long-term health. In that same spirit, the Bob Guenzel Fund provides flexible resources that allow The Ark to respond to opportunities and challenges that will shape its future. The fund supports strategic investments in programming, audience development, organizational infrastructure, and technology—key areas that strengthen The Ark’s ability to fulfill its mission and serve the community.
Bob was a joy to work with, hang out with, and learn from. Through the years, he always focused on making sure to keep the “heart and soul” of The Ark intact as he helped it to grow and evolve. That commitment is instilled in The Ark’s staff and volunteer leadership, and it’s foundational to the Fund that bears his name.
Marianne James, Executive Director
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- Read more about The Ark’s Bob Guenzel Fund
- Make an online donation today to the Bob Guenzel Fund
- Download pledge form to make a multi-year gift
For more information call Deb Kern, Development Director at 734-761-1800, ext. 125.