Robert Baxter

Rob died peacefully at home after a long, happy, amazing life! He was born in Poplar Bluff Missouri, the son of Robert E. and Sadie B. Baxter and was a life long resident of this area having moved here with his family in 1929. He was a child of the depression and never forgot his roots. He worked extremely hard throughout his life and highly valued and treasured everything he had. He graduated from Kalamazoo State High School where he proudly shot paper airplanes out the windows of this school high on the hill. He read poetry there too but was more proud of the airplanes. Upon graduation he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and proudly served in the South Pacific Theater participating in the consolidation of the Solomon Islands and the Luzon campaign. He worked repairing the fighter planes and this started a lifelong interest in airplanes and aviation. He loved to fly and later in life earned a private pilot's license. After an honorable discharge he attended the Michigan Veterans Vocational School administered by Western Michigan University and later graduated from LaSalle Extension University, Chicago, Illinois. He was assistant comptroller of Western Michigan University from 1959 to 1965. He became licensed as a certified public accountant in 1969 and established an accounting practice in Kalamazoo. He operated this practice until he retired on January 1, 1987 and sold his business to Jack A. Ullrey, CPA. He then embarked on a second career and became licensed with New York Life Insurance Co. as a life and health insurance agent and a registered representative with NYLife Securities. He retired from New York Life Insurance Co. in August of 2001. He was a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Michigan Association of CPAs, the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars. He had 18 years of full retirement and he enjoyed every day of it. He had a few health issues but overall enjoyed excellent health the whole time. They traveled some, took care of grandkids, and he loved to hunt, fish, and watch all kinds of sports. He had over 68 years with the absolute love of his life, Jacqueline (Dines) Baxter and he treasured every second he had with her. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather and his family was the most important part of his life. He was loved by so many people not the least for his crazy and witty sense of humor that held strong to the very end. He was thoughtful and kind to all he met. He is survived by his wife, Jackie; children: Linda K. Miller (David), Terry L. Baxter (Stephen Jefferson), and Robert E. Baxter (Vicki Hunter); grandchildren: David S. Miller (Rachelle Benson), Lindsey E. Hill (Greg), Jenny J. Baxter, Kate E. Jefferson (Ross Rozankovich), Anne C. Jefferson (Will Ogden), Sarah Maass (Philip) and Drew Jefferson (Amy); great-grandchildren: Kelsey L. Miller, Aaron, Henry, Emma, and Amy Maass, Riess Jefferson, and Liam Rozankovich; several nieces and nephews. He was the last man standing in his family and was preceded in death by his parents and all of his siblings: Geraldine Wolfe, Betty Wolfe, Thena Pritchard, Virginia Cleworth, and Jack Baxter. According to his wishes cremation has taken place. Friends may greet the family on Saturday, May 18, 2019 at 10:00 a.m., Langeland Family Funeral Home Westside Chapel, 3926 South 9th Street. There will be a memorial service to follow at 11:00 a.m. and a luncheon at noon. A private inurnment will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to SPCA of Southwest Michigan or to the Kalamazoo Humane Society. Please visit Rob's personalized online guestbook at www.langelands.com