Robert “Bob” Austin, age 83, of Lawrence, formerly of Paw Paw from 1961-1995, passed away Wednesday evening, February 22, 2017 at home with family at his bedside following a 2 year battle with cancer and Parkinson’s. Bob was born March 5, 1933 in Lawrence, MI to Perry and Maude (Rumbaugh) Austin. He graduated from Lawrence High School in 1951 and in 1953 elisted in the U.S. Navy. He served four years during the Korean War as a Hospital Corpsman/Operating Room Technician and was stationed at Sangley Point, Philippines. Upon discharge from the Navy, he attended WMU for 3.5 years before taking a job at W.E. Upjohn Company in Portage, MI. He worked as a Chemical Research Assistant during which time he received the W.E. Upjohn Award and was involved with synthesis of many of Upjohn’s drug and product candidates. He retired after 30 years of employment.
Bob was active in his community and coached youth baseball in Paw Paw for nearly 12 years. He also was on a bowling league for many years at Rainbow Lanes; and he was a member of the American Legion Hess-Eastman Post 174 of Lawrence, Masonic Lodge of Lawrence and the Lawrence United Methodist Church.
Bob loved fishing, hunting, but primarily found more enjoyment and mental relaxation through his artistic abilities with woodworking and painting, as well as completing jigsaw puzzles. He touched many hearts with the items that he made. His most recent woodworking was Intarsa pictures which have been displayed at local businesses and the Lawrence Park during the Labor Day Ox Roast Homecoming annual event over the past several years.
Bob was very proud of his family and loved every one of them dearly. First and foremost, he was a loving husband to his wife Betty (Carpp) of 61 years and a dedicated, supportive father to their three children who all survived, Cindy (Chris) Herring, Rod (Shirley) Austin and Sandy (Tim) Nicholas. He is also survived by ten grandchildren, Jennifer (David) Dakin, Kristi (Sheldon) Augustine, Amy (Ryan) Adams, Kenny (Rosemary) Austin, John Herring, Beth (Heath) Jorriy, Becky Nicholas (Brian Holmes), Kaitlyn (Ben) Andries, Mark (Vanessa) Schuelke and Aaron Schuelke, 14 great grandchildren, Anna, Jordyn, Harper, Natalie, Ava, Landon, Nicky, Kimmy, Savannah, Shelby, Raven, Aidan, Evelyn and Tyler. Bob was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Eloise Sweet, Spencer Austin and Eleanor De Long and one infant grandchild, Robert “Bobby” Keith Austin.
Cremation has taken place. Family and friends are invited to visit on Saturday, March 18, at the Lawrence United Methodist Church from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at which time there will be a memorial service. Burial will take place at Hill Cemetery in Lawrence immediately following. A luncheon will follow at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Bob’s name to the Lawrence United Methodist Church, Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan or the American Legion Hess-Eastman Post 174.