Robert Dewey

Robert, age 93, passed away on December 2, 2018 in Rancho Cucamonga, California. He was born in Kalamazoo on June 26, 1925, to Robert and Fern Dewey. He attended Washington Elementary where he played in the Elementary Orchestra, and met Barbara VanDenBerg, who played piano in the orchestra. They met again at Kalamazoo Central High School, fell in love, and married on December 15, 1945 at First Presbyterian Church. They were happily married for over 68 years, residing for about 60 years in Parchment, and later spending winters in California. In 1943 Robert began the V-12 Navy College Training Program at Western Michigan University, and continued on to flight preparatory school at Ohio Wesleyan. This was followed by Navy pre-flight school at University of Iowa. Stationed in Corpus Christi, TX, Robert flew the SNJ, a Navy trainer, followed by the SBD Dauntless, getting his Navy wings in 1945. In Jacksonville, FL, Robert flew the Curtiss SB2C Helldiver, leaving the Navy as an Ensign in 1946 and returning with Barbara to attend Western Michigan University for pre-dental school. In 1952, Robert graduated second in his class from the University of Michigan School of Dentistry, and practiced dentistry for 39 years in Kalamazoo. He built his own sailboat, he loved pulling his kids on water skis, and he continued to fly. He had an extensive stamp collection, and an unending knowledge of birds and wildflowers, as well as all kinds of classical music. He had such a zest for life! "Bob" thrived among the many friendships he enjoyed, some decades-old, and he continued to form strong bonds and new friendships up through his final days. He loved his family, and was an amazing husband and father, and he remained very close to his children and grandchildren. Robert is preceded in death by his wife Barbara, who died in 2014. They are survived by their four children James (Marion) Dewey of New Jersey, Janet (Neil) Grausam, David (Karen) Dewey, and Linda (Tony) Rackauckas all of California, eight grandchildren Angela, Laura, Megan, Abbey, Michael, Emily, Malory, and Jessica, two great-grandchildren Andrew and Brynleigh, as well as his nephew Allan and niece Julie. Honoring Robert's wishes, cremation has taken place, and a celebration of life will be held at the United Methodist Church in Rancho Cucamonga on March 16, 2019.