Robert Lemieux

Robert Bob Lemieux led a life saturated with honesty, integrity and respect. Described as honorable, funny, friendly and loving, he was the kind of man other men looked up to. Bob was continually guided by strong values, values that helped him make a lasting impression on all the lives he touched. Although many people will miss having Bob as a close friend, he will be held in special reverence by those who knew him as a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. As the United States was celebrating a time of temporary peace and prosperity between the two world wars, William and Ethel (Ahnstrom) Lemieux had a celebration of their own with the birth of their son, Robert, on May 2, 1924. Bob, as he was called, was born and raised in Muskegon, Michigan. His father was a barber in a shop in the lower level of the Occidental Hotel, while his mother worked as a secretary at the Michigan Theater. The family lived and worked in town so they had no need for a car, but instead took the bus. As a young boy, Bob came to know many vaudevillians, who came into his fathers barber shop, and among them was Buster Keaton. Like many boys, Bob got into his fair share of mischief as a child, including the time at the age of 4 when he found homemade cherry wine in the cellar. He mistook it for soda and drank the whole bottle, making for one very memorable night. Bob was also a bit obstinate, especially at dinner time. If he didnt like what his mother made, he wandered the neighborhood looking for something better. Bob first met his future wife, Joyce Kimball, though his friend who was also her brother. Once, while playing with boxing gloves at the Kimball home, Bob gave Joyce a good wallop in the nose. Bob graduated from Muskegon High School in June 1942. Shortly thereafter, he enlisted in the U.S. Army hoping to become a pilot, but opted out to the infantry, though he would never see combat. Bob was stationed in several southern states, but later went to Korea, where he oversaw a building project with native Koreans. Bob was a tobacco chewer, and the natives thought this was the thing to do, but in his mischievousness, he let on it wasnt good to spit. Needless to say, the next day, the natives did not show up for work due to being sick. Bob made up for his naughtiness one day when a fire broke out near a truck full of ammunition and he jumped in and drove it out of harms way. Bob eventually did learn to fly while in the military, though never received his license. In later years, he would fly with his own son, Kim, at the Executive Air Transport. After active duty, Bob remained in the reserves until his discharge in 1958. At this time, he had earned the rank of 2nd Lieutenant Infantry with 16 years active and reserve duty. Bob returned home from the military in a zoot suit, which was popular at that time. He went over to ask Joyce Kimball for a date, but found she was still to immature and young for him. Bob then turned his attention to furthering his education and enrolled in classes at Muskegon Junior College from 1946 to 1948. He then transferred to Ferris Institute, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Commerce. During his time at Ferris, he also became the co-founder of the Omega Tau Omega fraternity. After graduating, Bob decided to give Joyce another chance and asked her out. As fate would have it, the two fell in love and were married on December 29, 1951. Bob and Joyce were blessed with two children: W. Kimball Kim and Kathryn Kit. Bob was not one to be idle and tried his hand at a number of different jobs, including shoe sales, insurance, loan company, repo guy and at Sunshine Biscuit Co. Bob worked as a production supervisor at Klondike Petroleum Co. and later became Vice President of Viking Oil Co. Bob spent many years in the electrical construction industry until retiring in 1985 from Newkirk Electric Associates as a Purchasing Agent. A real jack-of-all-trades, Bob learned everything from his father, and could fix just about anything around the house. He was very detailed about his work and did the best job he could with whatever task was at hand. A job is only as good as the tools, so Bob made sure he had all the latest tools. In fact, he was on a first name basis with the UPS driver who delivered them. Bobs family was always his first priority. As a father, he was pretty stern, but taught his children through his example the importance of responsibility and working hard. Bob said what he meant and meant what he said. In later years, however, his children said he became an ole softy, especially when it came to his grandchildren. Bob was a lifelong and loyal member of the B.P.O Elks Muskegon Lodge #274, where he was immensely involved in many activities. Over the years, he and his family enjoyed many wonderful times at the Elks Park in Muskegon. Bob and Joyce loved to have parties at their home, including supper club parties, themed parties, birthday parties and poker parties. As a master at grilling, Bob cooked for many of their parties. Bob was a very patriotic man and loyal conservative. Aside from the Elks, he was also a member of the V.F.W. Post 3195 Norton Shores, Upper Midwest Chapter, 63rd Infantry Division Association and 6th Infantry Division Association. He was a retired member and former president (1969-70) of Purchasing Management Association of West Michigan and member of the First Congregational Church. His family threw him a very special 80th birthday party with the patriotic theme of All American Dad. With such a full and active life, Bob loved to reminisce about the good old days with his good old friends. He had one friend who called him SOB - Sweet Old Bob but it was all in good fun. Bob loved his scotch a good cigar and Dixie jazz music, especially since he was stationed in New Orleans for a while. Compassionate, loving, dedicated, respectable these are just a few of many words that describe Bob Lemieux. He was a very modest man, proud of all his family, yet filled with a great sense of humor. A wonderful husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend, Bob will be dearly missed. Robert B. Lemieux, age 83, of Muskegon, MI, died at his home on Tuesday, August 28, 2007. He is survived by his wife, Joyce Lemieux; 1 son, W. Kimball (Lorri) Lemieux of Muskegon; 1 daughter, Kathryn Ann (Donald) Silvis of Grand Haven; 3 grandchildren: Joshua (Amy) Silvis of Muskegon, Lauren (Paul) Cooper of Grand Haven & Sara Lemieux of Manistee; 1 great grandchildren, Reese Cooper; and special niece, Lisa & John Thiele of Gonzales, TX. Services for Bob will be held on Friday, August 31, at 2:00 p.m. at Clock Life Story Funeral Home - Fruitport with Rev. Don Wood officiating. An Elk's Service will also be performed. A military service under the auspices of VFW Post # 3195 will be held following at the Fruitport Cemetery. Friends and relatives may visit with Bob family on Friday, 1 hour prior to the service at Clock Life Story Funeral Home - Fruitport. Memorial contributions may be made to Hackley VNS Hospice. Please visit Bobs memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a memory with Bobs family or sign his online guest book.