Robert F. Potvin
Died May 5, 2019
SUTTONS BAY –
Robert Floyd Potvin, 71, of Suttons Bay, left this world on Sunday, May 5, 2019
at Munson Healthcare Cadillac Hospital.
He was born May
31, 1947 in Detroit the son of Emile and Myrtle (Westlund) Potvin. On July 31, 1971, at the Saint Frances Church
in Traverse City, Bob married Kathleen Ann Hawkins, who survives.
Bob was a hero to
his family, friends, and country. He
participated in life with a sense of integrity and courage. He embraced each day with a sense of purpose,
love and friendliness that endeared him to many. His adoration for his wife, sons, and
grandchildren, was a constant source of joy and pride.
Bob graduated in
1965 from Benedictine High School in Detroit, and started attending Michigan
State University in the fall of 1965, but with the escalation of the war in
Vietnam, his life choices changed. Bob
served as a Scout Helicopter Pilot in the First Calvary Division. For his bravery in combat he was awarded the
Silver Star, Bronze Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, and Purple Heart.
After graduating with
a degree in Criminal Justice from Michigan State University in 1973, Bob worked
as a Special Agent for the IRS, then as Director of the Police and Fire
Department in South Bend, Indiana. In
1981 Bob started working as a Financial Advisor for E.F. Hutton, in East
Lansing and remained working in the financial business until his retirement in
2016.
Bob was civic
minded, and served on the East Lansing and Suttons Bay School Boards. He also served on the Downtown Development
Authority in East Lansing. As a father,
if either of his sons’ soccer or baseball teams needed a coach he was there for
them.
Bob is survived by
his wife, Kate; his sons, Jason (Nola) Potvin, Adam Potvin; his siblings, twin
brother Joe (Mary Lee) Potvin, Richard (Joan) Potvin; his two grandchildren,
Jake and Jayla Potvin; and many loving nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in
death by his parents and his sister, Mary (Mike) Krause.
A burial with full
military honors, and a celebration of Bob’s remarkable life will be held at
3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 31, 2019 at Keswick Maple Grove Cemetery. Afterwards a celebration and luncheon will be
held at a location and time to be announced.
In lieu of
flowers, memorials may be directed to Suttons Bay Bingham Fire and Rescue, PO
Box 280, Suttons Bay, MI 49682; Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association, 2100 N.
Highway 360, Ste. 907, Grand Prairie, TX 75050; Leelanau Conservancy, PO Box
1007, Leland, MI 49654 and/or Tart Trails, PO Box 252, Traverse City, MI 49685.
Please share condolences
with Bob’s family below or at our funeral home Facebook page:
Jason
ReplyDeleteMy prayers are with you. I am so sorry for your loss
Cathy Green
My sincere condolences to Bob’s family. I worked with him in South Bend as a Special Agent in the late 70’s. We both served in the 1st Air Cavalry Division at about the same time but never talked much about it. He was a remarkable man who I respected and whose company I thoroughly enjoyed. I haven’t seen Bob in over 40 years but I still hold his memory dear. Rest in Peace.
ReplyDeleteSo long my friend. Rest in Peace.
ReplyDeleteThomas S Lees BHS65, MSU73/74, USArmy69-71
Bob, Mary Lee and family -
ReplyDeleteOur thoughts and prayers are with you on the loss of your brother, brother-in-law and uncle. May he rest in peace.
Dennis and Nancy Shippy
Joe and Mary Lee, I'm so sorry to hear that you have lost your brother and brother-in-law. My prayers are with you.
ReplyDeleteSteve Martrin
To all the Potvin family, our deepest condolences on your loss. We have such fond memories of Bob from Tamarisk neighborhood, including a visit from Santa at our door!!!
ReplyDeleteMay he rest in peace in God's loving arms...
Patti and Bob Ulrich