Benzie County MI Archives Photo Tombstone.....Reed, Robert Collins ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/mi/mifiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Harold & Linda Saffron Lindaj50@charter.net May 22, 2008, 9:40 pm Cemetery: Benzonia Township Cemetery Name: Robert Collins Reed Date Of Photograph: May 22, 2008 Photo can be seen at: http://www.usgwarchives.net/mi/benzie/photos/tombstones/benzonia/reed144054gph.jpg Image file size: 65.1 Kb Robert Collins Reed b. 5 Oct. 1926 d. 12 Sep. 2007 ---------------------------------------------------- Reed, Robert Collins "Chuck" GRAND RAPIDS — Robert "Chuck" Reed of Laketown Township and most recently, Grand Rapids, passed Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2007, at Clark Retirement Community in Grand Rapids. Born in Beulah, on Oct. 5, 1926, he was the first born of seven children to Collins B. and Alice M. Reed. Reed was taken by a rare disease, a progressive supranuclear palsy, a form of Parkinson's, combined with secondary complications. Much beloved by all who knew him, he led an exemplary life of service, with a solid faith in God guiding him. He always took an active part in their church communities where they lived. He always saw the best in those around him and his optimistic, thoughtful presence was always appreciated. His diplomacy and kindness were notable even in the challenging environment of local government. He was a true hero in every sense, from serving his country in World War II, to being a loving patriarch to his family, to his volunteerism and community service. As a member of the Mayflower Society, he was a descendent of Governor William Bradford of the original Plymouth Colony. He married Dorothy Schlueter on June 2, 1946, immediately upon his return from the war, where he served in the Merchant Marine. Chuck established an insurance agency in Traverse City in the 1950s and earned his CLU. There, he and Dodie raised their family on a fruit farm on the old Mission Peninsula along Grand Traverse Bay. Here, he served as a Scout Master, and on the Chamber of Commerce. An avid boater and car enthusiast, Chuck was an active member of the SCCA, in which he enjoyed amateur sports car racing. After several years in Ft. Lauderdale in the 1980s, where he managed a yacht basin and served in the US Coast Guard Auxiliary, he and Dodie moved to Holland, Mich., around 1987 and resumed service with the USCGA. Locally, as Treasurer for Laketown Township from 1988 to May 9, 2006, Chuck was dedicated to the acquisition of the Felt Mansion, and the Memorial Fountain there is now dedicated to his deceased wife, Dodie. They worked with the Felt family to accommodate future access to Lake Michigan and conservation of the historic compound. He was instrumental in the creation of the Laketown Township park on Lake Michigan and the new building for the Graafschaap Fire Department. He served several boards and offices in Laketown Township: Parks Commission, Board of Review, Historical Committee, Graafschaap Fire Department and Board, and Treasurer of Laketown Township. In the spring of 2005 he was honored by the King of Norway in Washington DC for his heroic efforts at saving Norwegian refugees while serving as a Merchant Marine in WWII. He was also the representative WWII veteran in an exhibit created by David DeJonge which was featured at the Van Andel museum, the Capitol Rotunda and now is permanently on display at the Grand Rapids Veterans Home, 3000 Monroe Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505-3313. Chuck was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy "Dodie" Reed on May 9, 2002. He is survived by a son and two daughters, and their three spouses, Stewart and Nancy Reed, Colleen and Bob Blomquist and Laura and Jeff Ardissone. He is also survived by his significant other since 2003, Marjory Steenwyk; six grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; one brother, Clare (and Kathy) Reed; one sister, Marilyn (and Larry) Nowland; and numerous cousins. Chuck was also preceded in death by his brothers and sisters, Barbara, Charles, Edith and Walter. A private, family graveside service was held at the Benzonia Township Cemetery on Love Road, where previous generations are buried. Interment is in Benzonia Township Cemetery on Love Road. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or the Dorothy Reed Memorial Watergarden at Felt Mansion through Laketown Township Hall, (616) 335-3050, 4338 Beeline Road, Holland, MI 49423-9719. Zaagman Memorial Chapel in Grand Rapids assisted. Published in the Record-Eagle on 9/16/2007. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/mi/benzie/photos/tombstones/benzonia/reed144054gph.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/mifiles/ File size: 5.0 Kb