Retired principal celebrates 99^th birthday
Coe Township native reminisces
on education, military service

By: Dan Schultz

Edited by: Trisha VanKoughnett and Noah Shepardson

Robert Bates has seen it all.

You know because of his stories; stories about the Great Depression, World War II and traveling by horse and buggy.

And come Sunday, April 13, Bates may have another story to fondly look back on, a story about his 99^th birthday.

In 1915, at 6 years of age, Bates moved to Coe Township, just south of Shepherd.

“We arrived by rail bringing livestock, farm equipment and household furnishings,” Bates said in an interview with “Jay News”, Shepherd Public Schools’ monthly newsletter.

“Back then we farmed the land with a horse-drawn walking plow.”

After graduating high school, Bates went on to Central State Teacher’s College in Mount Pleasant, now called Central Michigan University. He attended for 2 years and received a Life Certificate in education.

The decision for him to teach was obvious.

“I always liked school and I thought that would be an interesting job,” Bates explained. “I liked helping people.”

He began teaching at the Walling School, during which time the Great Depression hit. His wages dropped from $1,000 to $585 for the school year.

“Back then we had two banks in the city, and they must have been financially secure, because other banks were closing down, but we still had no problem with our banks,” Bates said.

After a brief stint back at Central wrapping up a degree, and serving as principal at the Beaverton Rural Agricultural School, he was drafted for military service in World War II.

Stationed in British New Guinea, Bates’ campaign on Morotai was quiet for the most part.

“We had to bypass strongholds, which wasn’t too bad, thanks to the knowledge we had from scouting,” Bates recalled.

“The only thing we had to worry about was air raids.”

Air raids were a common part of World War II, many times leaving soldiers hanging on hopes and prayers that the howling bombs did not strike a deadly mark.

“They (the enemy) dropped bombs on our two dugouts once, but that was because they knew where we were,” Bates said.

Bates returned to teaching in 1946, starting as a mathematics instructor in the Shepherd Public Schools System for 2 years, then junior high principal for 2 years and finally high school principal for 23 years.

He retired in 1973, but his service to the community was not over.

“I delivered meals to handicapped and shut-in seniors,” Bates said. Even as a teacher and avid member of his church, Bates was dedicated to selfless service.

“I volunteered as much as I was able to, helping with the syrup festival, too.”

Known as “Mr. Bates” to his students, Robert Bates was a staple of the community, a selfless person that gave credit to people other than himself, even as his 99^th birthday approaches.

“Cooperation on the part of the staff and students made the job as a principal very worthwhile,” Bates said. “I couldn’t have been more pleased.”