Robert "Bob" Frank Leary

Robert Frank Leary, 86, of Traverse City, passed away peacefully on Monday, September 13, 2021. Robert was born in Detroit, Michigan on November 29, 1934. Son of Frank and Genevieve (Brandt) Leary. After High School graduation Robert joined the Detroit police academy. During that time, he also joined a bowling league where he met Caroline Barry. After three months of dating, he married Caroline on September 1, 1956, who remained his wife for 65 beautiful years. After graduating the academy and becoming a Detroit police officer, Robert and Caroline had three children, Dorothy, Robert and Ann Marie. Robert retired from the police force in 1981, then Robert and Caroline relocated to Traverse City, MI, where Robert accepted a position as a security guard at Chef Pierre. After that Robert drove a school bus for the Traverse City Public school system. He was lovingly known as “Bus Driver Bob.” Robert Leary is preceded in death by his mother, Genevieve (Brandt) Leary, Father, Frank Leary, sister, Delrene Moran, sister Alice Jane Hewitt and son, Robert Leary. Robert is survived by his wife Caroline (Barry) Leary, daughter Dorothy Leary, daughter Ann Marie (Eric) Guldner, sister Ardis Kurylczuk and brother Daniel Leary. Also surviving are five grandchildren, Crystal (Jason) Wilson, Megan Curto (Mark Hamilton), Sarah (Jon) Popowich, Chelsea Leary (Adam Whitaker) and Jonah Guldner. as well as five great-grandchildren, Gavin, Grant and Gracelyn Hamilton, and Reese and Rosie Popowich. Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, September 24, 2021 at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home, 305 Sixth Street, Traverse City, Michigan 49684. A funeral service honoring Robert will take place at 11:00 a.m., with visitation starting at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 25, 2021, at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home. Pastor Chris Lane will officiate. Burial will follow in Grand Traverse Memorial Gardens. Donations may be made in Robert’s memory to the Alzheimer Association. Please feel free to share your thoughts and memories with Robert’s family at his tribute page at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com. The family is being cared for by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services.

Robert "Bob" Frank Leary

November 29, 1934 - September 13, 2021