The Death of Robert E. Rose (May 8, 1938)
- revjerose
- Jun 25
- 4 min read
Historical Note:
It is impossible to ignore the irony of what took place in Metamora, Michigan on Mother’s Day of 1938: the hit and run death of my Uncle Bob, riding his bicycle in the morning doing an errand for his dad, when he was struck by a drunk motorist. Ed and Lottie were permanently scarred by the trauma and grief and in many ways never recovered. It was never discussed in their home. Even my dad, Roger, would only have bits and pieces of memory. There is no doubt the event was covered in the local Lapeer County News, though no copies of the paper have been discovered. In telling this story, particularly in the absence of family conversations, it seemed fitting to cast the story in the form of newspaper accounts.
METAMORA May 8
A serene Mother’s Day morning was shattered by horror when a twelve year old boy, riding his bicycle, was struck and killed by a motor vehicle. The tragedy occurred shortly after dawn on Barber Road, a quiet gravel thoroughfare a few miles outside of town.
According to reports, the Edward Rose family had risen at their customary hour of 4:00 AM to tend to the morning farm chores before attending church at the Pilgrim Congregational Church in Metamora. Rose had completed the early milking and his wife was in the kitchen making breakfast. The daughter, Ruth was gathering eggs and their youngest son, Roger was with his mother. When asked why Robert was riding a bicycle so early in the morning, neighbors speculated that his father had sent him on an errand.
As the twelve year old boy was pedaling down Barber Road an oncoming motorist, traveling at a high rate of speed and swerving erratically, crossed into the boy’s path, killing him instantly.
According to the police report, Edward was coming from the barn to the house and was an eye witness to the entire event.
The driver's identity has been confirmed as a neighboring resident, though local authorities have not yet released the name pending a full investigation. No formal charges have been filed, however it is likely there will be. According to neighbors the unnamed driver was known to frequently return from late-night engagements while under the influence of spirits.
METAMORA — May 11
Grief continued to hang heavily over Metamora this week as neighbors and townspeople rallied to support the family of Robert "Bob" Rose, the 12-year-old farm boy tragically killed in a Mother’s Day Sunday morning automobile mishap on Barber Road.
The shock of the disaster has given way to profound somberness across the region. Local townsfolk, farmers and merchants have offered prayers and assistance to the Edward and Lottie Rose Family during their darkest hour.
Formal funeral arrangements were completed yesterday and service to be conducted Sunday afternoon at 2:00 PM at the Pilgrim Congregational Church in Metamora. Roses are members of the church. The Reverend Thomas L. Vance will officiate the service, offering words of comfort to the bereaved family.
Following the church service, a procession will form to escort the youth's remains to their final resting place in the nearby Metamora Cemetery.
Friends may pay their respects at the family’s stone residence on Barber Road until Saturday evening, or at the church before Sunday service.
The tragic passing of the Rose lad has profoundly touched the tight-knit agricultural community. At the Metamora Grade School, located on the corner of Partridge and Hanover Streets in the village, Robert was a popular and industrious seventh-grade student.
"Bob was a boy of exceptional character, always quick with a smile and eager to help his fellows," said Principal Arthur Benson in a statement to this newspaper. "The entire school body feels this loss deeply, and our hearts go out to his older sister Ruth, little brother Roger and the parents."
An empty desk draped in a white ribbon sits in the classroom once occupied by Robert.
Metamora Community United in Grief After Tragic Accident
METAMORA –May 25
As the investigation into the Mother’s Day fatal hit and run accident in Metamora continues, the community remains united in grief for the Edward Rose family.
Neighbors have organized a rotation to ensure the Rose family's daily farm chores—the tasks they rose at 4:00 AM to perform on the morning of the tragedy—are looked after. Local farmers have volunteered to handle the livestock and crop preparations so that Mr. Rose may remain with his family as they work through their grief.
Meanwhile, local authorities continue their inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the collision. Lapeer County sheriff's deputies confirmed today they are still interviewing witnesses regarding the erratic behavior of the neighbor's vehicle prior to the crash.
While the Prosecutor’s office has yet to issue a formal statement regarding potential charges of operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated, local indignation remains high. Many within the township are calling for stricter enforcement of speed regulations on the county's gravel thoroughfares to prevent another family from enduring such an irreparable heartbreak.
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