Bob was born on August 6, 1923, the son of Robert and Eleanor (Leach) Byrne in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He grew up in Flint, Michigan, where he graduated from Flint Junior College in 1942. On September 15, 1942, he married his high school sweetheart, Mary Alice Currie, who preceded him in death on January 9, 2005. They are survived by three daughters: Kathleen (Joseph) Ossmann, Randa Lynn Silber, and Sheryl (Kenneth) Jordan, all of Paw Paw, and son: Michael (Diana) Byrne of Lawton, nine grandchildren: David (Michele) Ossmann, Michael (Emily) Ossmann, Tyler, Jody, and Jessica Silber, Erin (Rob) Augustine, Evan Jordan, Jason (Kat) Byrne, and Ryan Byrne, three great -grandchildren and one on the way. His family was all-important, and in Bob's words, "They are all great!" His attendance at Michigan State College was interrupted by WWII in April of 1943. He last served as a 1st Lt. of the Army Corps of Engineers In the 5250th Technical Intelligence Co., as an enemy equipment investigator, part of Gen. MacArthur's headquarters staff in Japan. He received a Mechanical Engineering degree in 1945 from Louisiana State University while in the service. He finished two degrees in Chemistry at Michigan State University in 1947 and 1949 after his discharge. Upon graduation he was employed by Union Carbide Chemical Corp. and worked as a chemist for 35 years in Charleston, W V, Bound Brook, NJ, and Niagara Falls, NY before retiring to MI in March of 1983. Bob was an elder of the First Presbyterian Church, Paw Paw, a member of the American Chemical Society and the American Society for Testing Materials. He served on the Paw Paw District Library Board, Friends of the Library Board, and volunteered for Meals on Wheels and Habitat for Humanity. Bob was a master gardener who also enjoyed woodworking, building houses, and reading. He sang in church and community choral groups for over 60 years. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the First Presbyterian Church, Paw Paw District Library, Hospice of Van Buren County, or Habitat for Humanity. Bob's life will be celebrated at a memorial service to be held at 11 :00 a.m. Saturday, April 2 at the First Presbyterian Church, 120 Pine Street, Paw Paw . A private graveside service at Ft. Custer National Cemetery will follow. Arrangements are by the Adams Funeral Home, Paw Paw