Robert W. Houk, age 84, resident of Shelby, died unexpectedly on Sunday, December 4, 2011, at MedCentral/Shelby Hospital. Born May 13, 1927 in Detroit to Raymond and Agnes (Morley) Houk he was a native of Michigan moving to Shelby in 1979. Robert graduated from Melvindale High School, Melvindale, Michigan, attended Eastern Michigan University-Ypsilanti (1947-1949), Michigan State University-East Lansing with a BA in Psychology (1949-1951), and Wayne State University-Detroit (1956-57) with a Master's in Industrial Psychology. In 1992 he received his Doctor of Laws from Heidelberg College in Tiffin. A veteran of the U.S. Army, he served in Belgium, France, and Germany during WWII as a Tech 5 and then as a First Lieutenant in Chicago during the Korean Conflict. He began his career in 1954-57 with Ford Motor Company as Labor Relations Representative, Forms Control/Systems Analyst, and Distribution Systems Manager. From 1957-66, he was an account executive at Rotary Manifold, Detroit. In 1966 he cofounded UFORMA, Inc. as VP Sales (1966-69), President and CEO (1969-79), and Chairman of the Board (1971-79). Robert was Chairman of the Board, President and CEO of UFORMA/Shelby Business Forms (1979-88). In 1989-90, he served as a consultant to the Government Printing Office (GPO). Appointed by President George H.W. Bush, Robert was sworn in as the 22nd Public Printer of the United States on March 8, 1990 serving until 1993. Mr. Houk served as Chairman of the Board of the Printing Industries of America (PIA) and International Business Forms Industries (IBFI). He was a member of the Ashkhan Society, Soderstrom Society, Ben Franklin Society and founding member of the Order of the Black Leaf. He was honored as the 1980 "Business Forms Man of the Year" credited with the industry publication known as the "white paper" and inducted into the Printing Hall of Fame-Rochester Institute of Technology in 1988. Houk had served as Chairman of the Board- Ohio State University-Mansfield; President- Richland County Regional Planning Commission; Chairman - Mansfield Symphony Society; Chairman -The Rehab Center of Ohio, Chairman - Private Industry Council; President- OSU-Mansfield Citizens Advisory Council. A car enthusiast, he had a great love for music and started his own dance band in his early teens, "Bill Houk and his Orchestra". After moving to Shelby, he was active in local community bands and was a charter member of the Ashland Area Community Concert Band, playing trumpet throughout the remainder of his life. He was a member of the Most Pure Heart of Mary Church. Memberships have included: Rotary Club of Shelby, where he was the recipient of the Paul Harris Fellow Award, American Legion O'Brien Post #326, Richland County Republican Executive Committee, Chamber of Commerce, Better Business Bureau, Mansfield Local 159 AFM, Marvin Memorial Library Assoc., and Sommelier Guild. Bob's life was marked by a love and commitment to his family, of whom he was exceedingly proud. He is survived by his wife, Sally (DeVito) Houk, whom he married August 17, 1980, his son, Raymond (Dawn) Houk of Woodbridge, VA; his daughter, Lisa (Marc) Lopez of 29 Palms, CA; five grandchildren, Sean, Sara and Michael Lopez, Quinn and Quincy Houk; one sister, Rosemary Grubbe of Hollywood, FL; his mother-in-law, Gaylene DeVito of Shelby, four sisters-in-law, Julie DeVito Butler, Jean McKenzie, Chris Willman DeVito, Phyllis Boling DeVito; three brothers-in-law, Michael Butler, Roger DeVito, David DeVito and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his first wife, Katherine Houk in 1977; one brother, Ray and three sisters, Mercedes, Noralee, and Marjorie. Funeral mass will be celebrated 10:30 AM Saturday, December 10, 2011 at the Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Shelby. Father Nicholas Cunningham will officiate with interment in Most Pure Heart of Mary Cemetery where full military honors will be conducted by the Richland County Joint Veterans Burial Detail. Friends may call at the Barkdull Funeral Home on Friday from 2:00 to 4:00 and 6:00 to 8:00 PM where a scripture service will be conducted at 8:00 PM. Memorial expressions may be made to the Most Pure Heart of Mary Church or the Robert W. Houk Memorial Fund to benefit the new Shelby Band/Music Dept. and music scholarship.

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