Robert (Bob) Featherstone passed away at his home on October 30, 2016, with his wife by his side, ending his long courageous battle against many complicated health problems.
Bob was born in Mackinaw City, Michigan on July 24, 1930, to James and Dorothy Featherstone (now deceased). He spent his early childhood exploring the woodlands of northern Michigan, swimming in the cold Great Lakes waterways, working there as a teen carrying baggage for visitors to Mackinac Island arriving on the ferry boats before the Mackinaw Bridge was built. He worked as a summer employee on the boat, Algoma, serving as a deckhand while he visited his grandmother during the summer months. This time in his life anchored him always to Mackinaw City and Northern Michigan and his heart was there always.
He graduated from Central High School after his father moved the family to Flint to work in the General Motors defense plants there during WWII. Always resourceful as a youngster, Bob found ways to always work, either delivering papers, working at a store assembling new bicycles, or working in a local hardware store. He always had an "industrious" attitude.
Bob served in the National Guard for two years prior to joining the Army in 1950. He served in the Korean War in the signal corp, maintaining communications lines between Korea and Japan, and made the rank of first Sargent in an unusually short time. He was offered Master Sargent before he left the service in 1953. He was an inveterate patriot - proud of his military service and proud to fly the American flag following always the flag flying rules and often chastising those who flew the flag and did not follow the rules properly.
Bob met Peggy Martin in Flint shortly after his release from the Army, and he always said "I fell in love with her immediately." They were married six months later in Angola, Indiana and they celebrated their sixtieth anniversary this past July. Peggy had two sons from a previous marriage, 6 and 8 years of age, Dennis and Michael respectively. Bob and Peggy had no children of their own but he raised the two boys as his own with pride and love, and was grateful to Michael and his wife, Patty, for giving him his only grandchild, Marley Martin, whom he adored and spoiled outrageously.
He attended General Motors Institute of Technology and worked for General Motors for over 15 years as Electrical Maintenance Supervisor. He moved to Traverse City forty years ago, when he started his own electrical contracting company, which successfully served Traverse City for over 30 years. He left his electrical footprints on multiple and various major industrial and government projects in the Grand Traverse area. Bob also supervised the wiring of the huge oven installed in the open space that held the record at that time of being the world's largest cherry pie and made it in the Guinness Book of Records.
Bob attained his private pilot's license after attending Northwestern Michigan College and was always so proud and happy about that and continued to be always interested in aviation.
He served his community in many ways. He was a trustee on the Garfield Township Board for nearly 30 years, serving also on the Zoning Board of Appeals. He was also on the Board of Directors for Garfield Township Fire Department.
He was a longtime member of Central United Methodist Church and served in various ways of building maintenance problems and helping with other problem solving challenges from time to time on various church projects. At age 80, Bob flew to Haiti with a mission group from the church to help open a medical clinic in Cap Haisen after the big earthquake hit Port Au Prince. He also served as a mentor through the Kids Hope Foundation mentoring young boys from "at risk" home environments. He also worked on "Habitat for Humanity" projects. His footprints in the community are deep and heavy and he will be honored, remembered and missed by the community and by his loving family and friends.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents, and by one brother, Roche Featherstone. Surviving are his wife, Peggy; his two sons - Michael (Patty) Martin; Dennis (Maria) and one granddaughter, Marley Joelle; one brother, James (Anne) Featherstone; three sisters, Janet Blackmer, Carolyn Lortz and Beverly Lazar. Also many beloved nieces and nephews as well as the many friends who showed such kindness during Bob's extended illness.
Cremation has taken place at Bob's request. Visitation with the family will be at Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home on November 5, 2016 from 3:00pm to 6:00pm. A memorial service will be held at Central Methodist Church at 222 Cass Street, on November 6, 2016 at 2:00pm with a visiting hour one hour prior.
Contributions to Bob's memorial may be directed to the Central United Methodist Church for their mission projects.
Rest in Peace now Bob. We loved you dearly, miss you terribly, but we know you are in a peaceful place now and are probably preparing to rewire all the stars in the heavens and holding the absolute faith that we will meet again someday.
Please visit www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com to share your special memories of Bob with the family.
The family is being cared for by the Reynolds Jonkhoff Funeral Home.