A Star Over Old Town Saginaw: Robert F. Maul

Robert F. Maul (better known as Bob to most Saginawians) will truly be missed, as he leaves behind a positive attitude centered and grounded by both pride and joy towards the Saginaw Community.

Having passed away at the age of 55 while battling a debilitating illness, Maul knew deep within his heart that with a little hard work and love, he could change the community. One of his most passionate workings was held in Old Town Saginaw, where he started the Lawn Chair Film Festival. It can be attended almost every Sunday during the summer months. Here Bob Maul brought people together for a purely fun, and totally free purpose - get together with a few friends and watch a few flicks in the gorgeous nighttime summer weather. Bob could always be seen at the popcorn stand on Hamilton Street during Lawn Chair, talking to new people and selling the popcorn, never a frown on his face.

He knew how to bring people together to make it happen, says Wendy Scott of The Saginaw Convention and Visitors Bureau, He did wonderful things for the west side community. He provided people, ideas, and opportunities for new ideas. People will take his legacy and continue it.

He should be remembered for what he accomplished while he was alive - he will live on, people will acknowledge him and remember him, adds Paul Chaffe, former editor of The Saginaw News.

Bob Maul also connected Saginaw with its neighbor, Bay City, through the Saginaw Rowing Club, re-established in December of 2004 by Bob himself (originally founded in 1868). Long, sleek wooden and fiberglass rowing boats can be seen gliding gracefully across the Saginaw River, where Bob was seen riding in the bow, rowing at his hardest. Rowing was one of his favorite things to do, and it brought out the community more. The Saginaw Rowing Club will sometimes row all the way up to Bay City, often to be met by the Bay City Rowing club. The Saginaw Rowing Club brings together athletes of all types to build endurance and enjoy the resource of the river through rowing.

Bob had tremendous ideas for Saginaw.

He literally lit up the beautiful and historical churches of Old Town Saginaw. Chaffe had a few drinks with Maul one night, when he tossed out the idea of how neat it would be to light up the steeple at his church, St. Johns Episcopal. Chaffe loved the idea, and responded, Lets not stop there, lets light them all!

Taking a drive during the night, one can see the work of Bob Maul and Paul Chaffe all over Saginaw City. The list of churches and buildings the two lit up include: First Congregational, The Water Treatment Plant, St. Pauls Lutheran, St. Johns Episcopal, the Cathedral of St. Mary, Michigan Baptist, Holy Cross Lutheran, First Presbyterian, St. Andrews, Holy Family Catholic, First Baptist, and Grace United Baptist.

He changed the way people look at the skyline, adds Chaffe, It was my great pleasure to share the appreciation of these beautiful historic churches. It alters the way people look at the river, and the courthouse. The courthouse looked like a sterile mode, full of rats. When you see the ice skating rink in the winter, you see the rabbits at Easter, he changed the way people look at that.

Bob Scheibner, local Saginaw artist, says, He gave me a more positive attitude about Saginaw, negativity will get us no where. He showed me that theres people out there who care.

Bob Maul is a local hero and he truly believed Saginaw had the potential to achieve greatness. I think he came from the heart, Scheibner adds, not from the pocket book. He had the belief that he could bring the neighborhood together, instead of just bringing in more money.

Scheibner also thought that Bob should be remembered As a bright star over Old Town, and Saginaw.

Saginawians will cherish men like Bob Maul, a positive and bright being, full of great ideas to pull communities back together, and stay together.