Robert (Bob) Doty

Robert (Bob) Doty passed away Monday night, May 7, 2018 at Cambrian Assisted Living in Tecumseh, Mich.  Bob was born on December 26, 1920 at the Doty homestead on North Custer Road in what was then the village of Grape. A lifelong resident of Monroe County, he was the oldest of three sons to Guy and Elsie (Reber) Doty; his brothers were George (Jack) and Donald.

Bob graduated from Monroe High School in 1937. He went on to study agriculture at Michigan State University, completing a two-year associates agricultural program. Bob served in the Army Air Corps during World War II as the radar and navigation specialist on a B-29 bomber crew. Stationed in the Pacific Islands, he survived 30 bombing missions over the Japanese mainland, and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.

Bob married the former Jean Anne Blum on November 8, 1946. Jean Anne was the widow of Ralph Turner, who had been killed in October 1944 during naval actions against the Japanese in the Battle of Leyte Gulf. Bob worked for nine years for the Detroit Stoker Company in Monroe, saving to purchase their dairy farm in Raisinville Township, where they then lived for 41 years.

While raising three children, they were both active in their community as members of  Farm Bureau and 4-H leaders. Bob was an early proponent of soil conservation, no-till farming, and using the latest methods to manage his dairy herd. Bob also served for many years on the Maybee School District Board, serving as secretary.

After retiring, Bob and Jean Anne moved to Monroe Township, also spending several months each winter in Bradenton, Fla. For many years they enjoyed volunteering at the Lutheran Home in Monroe and at their church. They also traveled extensively both in the United States and abroad.

Bob and Jean Anne were active in and were long time members of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church.

Bob was preceded in death by his wife and brothers. He is survived by his daughter, Holly (Richard) Becker of Tecumseh, son, Guy Jeffrey (Martha) of Farmington Hills, and son, Drew (Margaret) of Livonia.  He has eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be held on Friday, May 18 from 2-7 p.m. in the Bacarella Funeral Home, 1201 S. Telegraph Rd. in Monroe. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 19, 2018 with viewing starting at 10 a.m. The Rev. Evans C. Bentley, pastor of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, will officiate. Interment will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park, where the VFW Post 1138 will conduct military honors.

Memorial contributions are suggested to St. Paul’s United Methodist Church or to Hospice of Lenawee.  

Online condolences, and special memories, may be shared with the family by visiting the obituary page at bacarellafuneralhome.com.