Robert "Bob" Wayne Read

August 27, 1943 - May 17, 2020

TRAVERSE CITY – Robert “Bob” W. Read, age 76, of Traverse City, passed away on May 17, 2020 at Munson Medical Center. Bob was born on August 27, 1943 in Detroit, MI to John D. and Nora E. (Baker) Read. He grew up in Waterford Township and graduated from Waterford High School in 1961. Bob attended Ferris State University and was a member of the hockey team. He moved to Traverse City in 1972 with his first wife, Judith Read, and two children, Leslie and Scott. Bob Read and Ray Collins formed a locally well-known group called Sh-Boom. Bob later divorced and remarried Diane-Boldrey Read and had their son, Chad Read. Bob played many years with the Backroom Gang as the lead singer and banjo player. He loved cooking and barbequing for his family and friends. He and Diane spent many summers on their boat hanging out at Power Island in West Bay. Bob was a quintessential entertainer as a professional musician. He performed in various musical groups, starting at a very young age. These band included; The Frontier Singers, and the well-known group, The Three Penny Opera which performed at the Poison Apple in Detroit. Bob loved waterskiing on Williams Lake, canoeing, and fly fishing on the Au Sable river in Lovells, MI. He was a past member of the Elks of Traverse City. Bob is survived by his daughter, Leslie Ann Read, sons; Robert (Melody Compton) Read and his children; Armin, Max, Jenny, and Chad (Amber Baron) Read, sister-in-law, Susan Kennedy (Read), niece, Jennifer Ann Read, nephews; John Siderick Read, Thomas Alexander Read, first cousin, Peggy (Stewart “Bing”) Nunnley, cousins; Larry and Carole Brenner, Margie and Hal Lamkin, Russ and Kim Brenner, Ray Dallman, and dear family friends; Chris Sawdon-Bemis and Missy Carson Smith. Bob was preceded in death by his father and mother, brother, Douglas Read, and sister-in-law, Julia Hoyt (Read). A celebration of Bob’s life will be planned for a later date this summer. Please share a memory with Bob’s family by visiting his tribute page at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com. The Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services is serving the family.