Robert "Bob" MacLean Andrews

Robert MacLean (Bob) Andrews, a resident of Traverse City, MI and of Stuart, FL, passed away peacefully Saturday, September 16, 2023 in Traverse City at the age of 95. Bob passed away at his home very peacefully with his children by his side. He is now flying in smooth skies and sailing with perfect breezes. Bob was born to Harold and Katherine (Mertz) Andrews on September 26, 1928 in Lansing, MI. Bob was born the middle of three children, with two sisters, Margaret Yarling and Louis Fekete, as his older and younger sisters respectively. Raised in Lansing, MI, Bob graduated high school in 1946 from J.W. Sexton High School, and graduated college in 1952 from Ferris State College in Big Rapids, MI with a B.S. in Commerce. Bob married Marilyn J. Foote of Lansing, MI on July 12, 1952. Bob and Marilyn were married for 68 years until Marilyn passed away in 2021. Bob was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1952 and served during the Korean War from 1952-1954. While in the Army he became part of the faculty of the U.S. Army Finance School at Ft. Benjamin Harrison from 1953-54. Bob returned to Lansing after the Army where he worked as a CPA and eventually joined his brother-in-law Don Foote in real estate development. Bob moved his family from Lansing to Traverse City, MI in 1972. He founded and co-founded numerous business ventures over the years. In 1975, Bob purchased Harbor West Marina and the adjoining properties. Bob operated and redeveloped Harbor West Marina over much of the next decade. In 1980 Bob and Marilyn formed Harbor West Marina Village to develop 28 luxury condominiums; a venture they worked hand in hand on. They eventually subdivided the adjoining peninsula at the marina to create Harbor West Pointe. Bob also received a number of appointments by the Governor of Michigan including an appointment to the Michigan State Transportation Commission from 1992-1998. Bob also served on many corporate boards and served on the Board of Directors for Auto Owners Insurance Co. from 1990-1999. Bob was also very active in the Traverse City community over many decades serving various organizations and causes. He dedicated a lot of time and energy over may years to helping fund education in the Traverse City area. Bob served on the Northwest Regional Airport Commission from 1974-1992. He also served on the Boards of Directors of the Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce, the Michigan State Chamber of Commerce, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. In 1999 Bob was the recipient of the annual Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce Distinguished Service Award. Bob was also a member for many years of the Traverse City Rotary Club and Faith Reformed Church. After spending more time in Stuart, FL in his later years, Bob stayed active as he dedicated a lot of time to causes in Martin County alongside his many friends in the Mariner Sands community and as a member of Mariner Sands Chapel. Bob had a tremendous love for flying and boating. Being in the sky or on the water is where he found rest and rejuvenation. Bob was a multi-engine instrument rated pilot flying over 5,500 hours. He was extremely generous with his planes and regularly took people to receive medical care at hospitals outside the Traverse City area at no cost. He was always looking for a good excuse to get back into the air. He also loved sailing and racing sailboats. Later in life he owned power boats so that he could stay connected to the water. Asked last month what one of the highlights of his life was, Bob answered that it was piloting the Jet Commander he had owned, as a big smile came across his face and he lost himself in the sweet memory. Bob had a generous heart and was quiet about it. He gave way more in time and money than he would ever take credit for. His family would often only hear about his acts of generosity years later from the stories of others or from reading notes of thanks. His family is also grateful for the love for Northern Michigan that he gave his family. Bob leaves behind daughters Kathy Andrews and Cindy Andrews (John), and son Jim Andrews (Megan), along with his eight Grandchildren Courtney Schamel (Chuck), Andrew Doody (Jessica), MacLean Andrews, Jackson Andrews, Melissa Abbott (Samuel), Michael Andrews, Minrui Andrews, and Jesse Andrews, and four Great-grandchildren Adyson, Declan, Luka, and Nico as well as many wonderful nieces and nephews. Bob was preceded in death by his wife Marilyn, his daughter Karen Andrews, his parents, and his sisters. The family would especially like to thank the staff of Cordia at Grand Traverse Commons, Sunrise Comfort Care, and Bayside Wellness for the tremendous wellness and hospice care you all gave our father during these last several months. You have our unending gratitude! There will be a Memorial Service on Tuesday, September 26, 2023, at 3:00 PM at Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home at 305 Sixth Street, Traverse City, MI. A Celebration Reception will follow the Memorial Service at the Grand Traverse Yacht Club at 13653 S West Bay Shore Drive, Traverse City, MI beginning after the conclusion of the service. Tuesday, September 26th is Bob’s 95th Birthday so please join us as we remember and celebrate Bob. A Memorial and Interment Service will take place sometime later in the year at Mariner Sands Chapel, Stuart FL where Bob will be placed with his wife Marilyn. Details of this service will be available at a later date. Those wishing to offer expressions of sympathy are encouraged to make a memorial contribution to the Mariner Sands Chapel - Benevolence fund, 6500 SE Congressional Way, Stuart, FL 34997 ( https://marinersandschapel.org ) and/or The Father Fred Foundation, 826 Hastings, Traverse City, MI 49686 ( https://www.fatherfred.org ).

Robert "Bob" MacLean Andrews

September 26, 1928 - September 16, 2023