Robert Armstrong

Robert A. "Bob" Armstrong Battle Creek, age 87, recently of Bloomfield Hills, MI, died Saturday morning, February 6, 2010, at Beaumont Hospital, Troy, MI, following a lengthy illness. Bob was born on April 30, 1922 in Battle Creek, the son of Joseph F. and Elia E. (Steele) Armstrong. He was a 1940 graduate of Battle Creek Lakeview High School and received his Metallurgic Engineering Degree from Michigan State University. Bob served his country during World War II as a B-17 pilot and Captain in the Army Air Corp. He was honorably discharged from the U.S. Air Force in 1946 having received the Air Medal with 5 Oak Leaf Cluster's for bravery in the European-African-Middle Eastern Theaters and the Rhineland Campaign. Bob retired in 1988 as a Vice President for Jefferson-Smurfitt Paper Company of Dayton, OH, which followed a long career as Vice President of the Michigan Carton Company of Battle Creek. He had been a member of the West Lake Presbyterian Church of Battle Creek. Bob enjoyed tennis, fishing, golf and photography, but his true passion in life was his family and friends. On May 2, 1943 in Buffalo, NY, Bob was united in marriage to the former, Margaret J. "Peg" Watson, who preceded him death on December 21, 2003. Also, preceding him death was his daughter, Susan N. Dupree in 1999 as well as his parents. Bob then married Gayleen "Gaydee" Weller on July 17, 2004. She survives along with his daughter, Ann Heath (Steve) Templeton of Bloomfield Hills, MI; Gaydee's children, Liz Weller, Kim Weller, Rick (Becky) Weller and Tom (Lisa) Weller; grandchildren, Charlie (Nicky) Dupree, John (Jaynie) Nielsen, Betsy (David) Kyle, Liz Rapp, Rob Dupree, AJ Heath, Courtney Templeton and Ben (Kate) Templeton; Weller grandchildren; nine great grandchildren: his brother, Joseph E. "Joe" Armstrong of Battle Creek and his son-in-law, Robert Dupree of Scottsdale, AZ. At the request of his family, friends may call on Tuesday, Feb. 9 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Farley-Estes & Dowdle Funeral Home, Battle Creek. The funeral service to celebrate Bob's life will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 10 at 10:30 a.m. the Church of the Resurrection, 2859 Capital Avenue, SW. Interment will follow at Fort Custer National Cemetery, Augusta, MI, with full, military honors bestowed by the U.S. Air Force from Wright-Patterson AFB and the Fort Custer Honor Guard. Memorial contributions in Bob's honor may be made to the Alzheimer's Association , 20300 Civic Center Drive, # 100, Southfield, MI, 48076.