Robert L. Bierley, 77, of Traverse City and formerly of Grosse Pointe passed away unexpectedly Sunday, September 21, 2014 at his Traverse City home.

Bob was born on Friday, February 5, 1937 to the late William and Dorothy (Reil) Bierley in Detroit. Following his graduation from Walled Lake High School, Bob earned a bachelors degree from Alma College, a masters degree in Psychology from Lehigh University, and an MBA from Michigan State.

On Saturday, July 30, 1960, in Grosse Pointe, Bob married Nancy A. Russell. Together they raised three children.

Bob had been a product planning executive with General Motors prior to his retirement. He was a member of St. Michaels Episcopal Church in Grosse Pointe Woods, GM Retirees, the Economic Club of Traverse City, as well as the Traverse City Golf and Country Club and the Kiwanis Club of Traverse City.

Bob served as a council member and a mentor at MTA (Manufacturing Technology Academy), an organization dedicated to helping students pursue their interests in that field. He often remarked to his family how proud he was of these students and how he wished there was something like this available when he was their age. Bob will be lovingly remembered for his wonderful sense of humor as well as his dedication to his family and his untiring love for each of them.

Surviving Bob is his wife and best friend, Nancy; children, Robert Craig (Karen) Bierley of Bloomfield Hills, Susan Lynn (John) Vens of Grosse Pointe, Mark Russell (Helen) Bierley of Plymouth and his beloved grandchildren, Brian, Christopher, Tyler and Madison Vens, Daniel, Nicholas and Mary Katherine Bierley and Chloe and Jack Bierley. In addition to his parents, Bob was preceded in death by his brother Verner William Bierley and his brother in law Robert Russell.

The memorial service celebrating Bob's life will take place at 1:30 PM on Sunday, October 5th at St. Michael's Episcopal Church, 20475 Sunningdale Park, Grosse Pointe Woods, MI, 48236.
Those who wish to remember Bob's life through a memorial contribution, the family would suggest MTA, 2600 Aero Park Drive, Traverse City, MI 49686 (on-line at www.mta.tc )
Please share your memories of Bob with his family by way of his online guest book/tribute page at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com

The family is being served by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Traverse City.