Obituary: Robert Tracy, 72, of Custer.

Robert Tracy

Obituary: Robert Tracy, 72, of Custer.

Robert G. Tracy, 72, of Chelsea and Custer passed away suddenly at his home on June 3, 2019. He was born March 17, 1947 in Manistee to Robert Burton and Mary Margaret (Despres) Tracy.  He grew up on the rivers of Mason County with his siblings and friends.

He graduated from Mason County Central High School in 1965 and enlisted in the U.S. Army where he was stationed in Germany. After his honorable discharge, Bob returned home and attended West Shore Community College. He went on to attend Michigan Tech University where he received a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in civil engineering. With that knowledge, Bob went on to a long career that included stints in Minnesota Department of Transportation, Carl Walker Engineering, and Western Water Proofing. He started and ran his own engineering consulting firm, Tracy Materials Consultants, and later Tracy Restoration Engineers. He was a respected pioneer in parking ramp and concrete restoration. Over the course of his career, he received numerous awards for his work. Bob was actively involved in numerous projects throughout Northern Michigan and the U.P. involving preservation of historic structures.

Bob was an avid outdoorsman and fisherman and he also enjoyed water sports, snow skiing and woodworking. He could grow tomato plants like no one’s business!  He single handedly re-populated dozens of red and white pine trees that stand today on his property.

Bob was a passionate teacher to his many friends and neighbors and family. He enjoyed passing his knowledge of fishing, carpentry, wildlife, and general  “McGuivering” of any and all items needing repair…or not!

Bob was a lifelong lover of movies and books and he traveled extensively in his 72 years.

Bob is survived by his wife, Carol Tracy; his children, Sara (Dan Gray) Tracy, David (Cynthia) Tracy, and Christine Tracy; his six grandchildren, Jordan, Lexi, Mari, Nichole, Donna, and Leo; his step-daughters, Andrea and Kendra; five step-grandchildren; his siblings, Beth Albert, Margaret “Peg” Finklestein, Charles Tracy, Katherine Montini, Marilyn Biemer, and Patricia Westbrook.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Mary Tracy.

A visitation will be held Friday, June 7, 2019 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Oak Grove Funeral Home in Ludington. A mass from the Order of Christian Funerals will be held on Saturday, June 8, 2019 at 11 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Custer. Family will greet friends beginning at 10 am at the church. Military honors will follow the service.

Memorial contributions in Bob’s name may be directed to the Pere Marquette Watershed Council, P.O. Box 212, Baldwin MI 49304.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Oak Grove Funeral Home of Ludington, www.oakgroveludiungton.com.