Robert W. "Bob" Mcinnis

Colonel Robert "Bob" W. McInnis, USMC Ret. – June 14, 1929 – February 25, 2021


Battle Creek, Michigan - Colonel Robert "Bob" W. McInnis, USMC Ret., peacefully passed away to be with the Lord on February 25, 2021, at Bickford Cottage of Battle Creek following dementia. Family members Bob Jr., Dave and Bill were at Bob's side at the time of his passing.

Bob was born in Patterson, NJ, June 14, 1929 to Ambrose and Isabelle (MacKay) McInnis and spent his childhood in Boston, MA. As a young man, Bob enlisted as a Marine Corp. Reservist in 1950 and was called to service into active duty to serve in Korea and a decorated 28-year military career until his military retirement 1978. Bob continued his working career as a College Professor, for the School of Business, at Kellogg Community College, in Battle Creek, MI for another 15 years until retirement in 1993.

Bob met the "Love of His Life", Elizabeth "Betsy" Dillard in 1951 and married prior for his deployment to Korea in 1952. Enduring the test of time, they enjoyed 68 years of marriage until Elizabeth's passing in 2020.

Highlights of Bob's military service include;
• (1952-53), Korea.
• (1954) Arlington, VA, Headquarters Marine Corps, 1st Marine Division as Legal Officer,
• (1954-1956), Quantico, VA Military Law Instructor at Basic School and Assistant coach for the Quantico Marines Basketball Team, (National AAU Champions),
• (1957-1959) Kaneohe, Hawaii, Marine Corp. Air Station, Military Police / Security.
• (1960-1963) Arlington, VA, Headquarters Marine Corps, 1st Marine Division as Legal Officer.
• (1964-1966) New York City, Columbia University, NROTC Instructor, Military History.
• (1966-67), Da Nang Viet Nam, Major, 1st. Marine Air Wing.
• (1968-1970), Philadelphia, PA, Lieutenant Colonel, Head Technical Systems Branch Officer, Supply Depot.
• (1970-1974), First Marine Representative and Chairman for the Defense Integrated System Coordination Group, Federal Center, Battle Creek, MI.
• (1975), Iwakuni, Japan, Colonel, Commanding Officer, Marine Corps Air Station, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing.
• (1976-1978), Albany, GA, Colonel Chief of Staff, Marine Corps Supply Center, until his military retirement in 1978.

Robert's military awards for service also included: Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy Commendation Medal with Combat "V" and Gold Star, Presidential Unit Citation, National Defense Service Medal, Korea, Korean Service Medal, Purple Heart Medal (Viet Nam), Combat Action Medal (Viet Nam), Bronze Star (Viet Nam), United Nations Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, with two Bronze stars, Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces Meritorious Citation Gallantry Cross, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Marine Corps Reserve Ribbon.

Bob was passionate for advanced education which was noteworthy as he accomplished numerous education milestones over his life:
• B.A. in Business Administration, George Washington University, Washington, DC.
• MBA, Administration, Columbia University, NYC.
• MBA, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI.
• PHD-Education enrolled, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Ambrose and Isabelle (MacKay) McInnis; sisters, Margie (Mitchell), Dorothy (Grassi); brothers, Harold, Raymond and Gerald; mother-in-Law, Virginia (Hutton) Dillard; father-in-Law, Ralph Dillard; and wife of 68 years, Elizabeth D. (Dillard) McInnis

Bob is survived by his sons, Robert W. McInnis Jr., and David R. (Bonnie) McInnis; nephew, William A. McInnis; grandchildren, Gregory D. McInnis and Jacquelyn (McInnis) Bowers.

A memorial service with full military honors to celebrate Robert and Elizabeth's life will be held on Friday September 3, 2021, at 3:00 pm at Ft. Custer National Cemetery. Services will be officiated by Reverend Bob Heine.

Family will host a celebration of life for Robert & Elizabeth after the service at Clara's on the River, 44 McCamly St. N, Battle Creek, MI 49017 at 4:00pm. The service will be recorded and and a link will be placed here after the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to "The Battle Creek Sweet Adeline's" (BCSA), or the Calhoun County Red White & Blue Foundation, c/o the Battle Creek Community Foundation. Arrangements by Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care, Battle Creek.