Robert M. "Bob" Bokhart

Robert M. "Bob" Bokhart, age 93, of Battle Creek went to be with his Lord & Savior on Wednesday evening, April 10, 2019. He was born in Mishawaka, Indiana, the loving son of Morris and Margaret (Kerckhove) Bokhart. Bob faithfully served his country as a member of the United States Navy from 1943 to 1946, serving in the Pacific Theatre and the invasions of Guam and Okinawa.

Bob graduated from Colon High School (Michigan) in 1947, spent two years at Michigan Tech, and received his Master's Degree from Western Michigan University. He then continued his work beyond his Master's at Michigan State University, the University of Michigan, and the Sacramento State Teachers College.

Bob taught in the Niles school system from 1952 to 1956 and then came to Battle Creek Public Schools where he spent his last 15 years serving simultaneously as Director of Pupil Personnel and as Guidance Director at Battle Creek Central High School, retiring in 1988.

Bob married the "Love of His Life", Phyllis Marie Brigham in Mishawaka, Indiana on June 16, 1951; she sadly preceded him in death on March 2, 2015. He is survived by his daughter, Barbara J. (Don) Steffee of Greenville, Michigan; his son, Richard A. "Bo" Bokhart of New Brunswick, Canada; his grandchildren, Casey (Mackenzie) Steffee and Molly (Stephen) Lindeman; a great-grandson on the way; a brother, James W. (Jane) Bokhart of St. Joseph, MI; a sister, Sylvia J. (Arlon) King of New York; and several nieces & nephews.

Bob was a lifetime member of the First Presbyterian Church where he faithfully served as a deacon, elder and usher over the years. He was a charter member of the Cereal City Lions Club & had nearly 60 years of perfect attendance, and faithfully served on the Friday Honor Guard at Fort Custer National Cemetery for many years. Bob also served as a member of Delta Sigma Phi and Phi Delta Kappa, past-president of Middle Cities Association, past-president of Michigan Child Accounting Association, former director of School Employees Credit Union, member of the American Association of School Administrators, former officer of the BCEA and Life member of the MEA & NEA. Bob was the recipient of the Lions Club International Melvin Jones Fellowship Award and was inducted into the BCCHS Hall of Fame with the Class of 2016-2017.

The family will receive friends 10:00 to 11:30 a.m., Friday, April 26th at Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care, Battle Creek where funeral services to celebrate Bob's life will be held at 11:30 a.m. Interment with full military honors will follow at the Fort Custer National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations to the First Presbyterian Church, Cereal City Lions Club or the MARSP Foundation. Personal messages for the family may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.