Robert J. 'Bob' McRae

IRONWOOD, Mich. - Robert J. "Bob" McRae, 87, of Ironwood, died unexpectedly Thursday, Jan. 2, 2014, at home.

He was born Oct. 14, 1926, in Ironwood, son of the late William and Amanda (Lundstrom) McRae, and graduated from Luther L. Wright High School in 1944. He then entered the U.S. Navy on June 14, 1944, serving in the Pacific Theater of Operations during World War II, and was honorably discharged as a seaman first class on July 1, 1946.

He was married to the former Carol Schluentz on Oct. 15, 1949, in Mount Clemens. They resided in Mount Clemens, where Bob served as a deputy in the Macomb County Sheriff's Department for 17 years, retiring as a sergeant in 1970. Moving to Ironwood, Bob co-owned and operated the Sport Bowl on Cloverland Drive for 17 years, retiring in 1987.

Bob was a member of Ironwood American Legion Post 5 and Bessemer Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3673. He was an avid reader.

Surviving are his wife, Carol, of 64 years; four grandchildren, Meghan Reid, U.S. Air Force, San Antonio, Noreen Reid, Saginaw, Brian Reid, Utica, N.Y., and Timothy Reid, Kalamazoo; son-in-law, Bill (Betty) Reid, Guam; a brother, William (Jean), St. Cloud, Minn .; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, William James, in 1951; daughter, Kathleen Reid, in 2003; half sister, Lillian Beach; and brother-in-law, Harry Beach.

Per Bob's wishes, cremation has taken place.

A memorial service will be held Tuesday, Jan. 14, at 11 a.m., preceded by visitation at 10 a.m., at the McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home, 305 N. Lowell St., in Ironwood, with the Rev. Kurt Kovanen officiating.

Full military honors will be accorded by the Ironwood American Legion Post 5 Honor Guard.

Luncheon will follow at Rigoni's Inn in Ironwood.

Interment will be in Clinton Grove Cemetery, Clinton Township.

Arrangements have been entrusted to McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Ironwood.