Robert D. Burroughs

Robert D. "Bob" Burroughs, 95, of Kalamazoo, died Tuesday, July 21, 2015 at home surrounded by his loving family. Bob was born June 6, 1920 in Chicago to Charles and Mabel (Catherman) Burroughs. He graduated from Otsego High School in 1939 and attended Cal-Tech to become a Master Aviation Mechanic. He also served in the United States Air Force and the Air National Guard, where he was an aircraft mechanic, retiring on June 6, 1980 after more than 33 years of faithful service.

Bob loved to snowmobile in the winter and go dune buggy riding in the summers with his friends. He, along with his wife Joan, were members in a golf league, better known as the Wild Bunch.

Bob married the former Joan Shumaker on April 14, 1956, who survives. Also surviving is his son, Douglas (Bonnie Farmer) Burroughs; his daughter, Anne (Marty) Walker; six grandchildren, Joel, Elizabeth, Melissa and Ashlee Klauka, Briana Strand and Max Brundage; a sister, Betty Phillips and many nieces and nephews. Bob was preceded in death by his daughter, Diane Stand in 2012.

Funeral services to celebrate Bob's life will be 11:30 a.m., Monday, July 27, 2015 at the Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home and Cremation Care, Richland Chapel, officiated by Rev. Walter C. Gerstung. Interment with full military honors will follow at Fort Custer National Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to the funeral, starting at 10:30 a.m. Those wishing to make memorial contributions in memory of Bob are asked to consider the Gull Lake United Methodist Church or the South West Michigan Hospice. Personal messages for the family may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.