Robert Stanley "Bob" Perry, 85, a retired Joerns Furniture executive and former Stevens Point resident, died Sunday, April 13, 2008.
A memorial service was celebrated at Trinity Lutheran Church in Grand Rapids, Mich., on Monday, April 21. Burial was with full military honors.
Contributions may be made to the Robert Perry Memorial Fund at Trinity Lutheran Church, 2700 East Fulton, Grand Rapids, MI 49506, or to the Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758517 Topeka, KS 66675-8517 or through the Web site at woundedwarriorproject.org.
Mr. Perry was born in Highland Park, Mich., and grew up in Michigan and Atlanta, Ga.
He attended Western Michigan Teachers College (WMU), earning both bachelor's and master's degrees in education.
After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps, receiving his commission after attending Officers Candidate School. He saw combat in the Pacific during World War II and was then stationed in China after the war. He returned to active duty during the Korean War and completed 25 years of active and reserve duty.
He was married to Elaine Caulkins 62 years ago.
After the Korean conflict, they returned to Michigan, where they both taught school in Wayland.
In 1953, he joined American Seating Co. in Grand Rapids in the education department. He retired 35 years later as senior vice president and part owner. He spent seven of those years as vice president of operations at Joerns Furniture in Stevens Point. He continued his interest in the company through the founding of the American Seating Co. Veterans Last Man Club.
Upon retirement, he was involved in church activities, tutoring at Alexander Elementary School and repairing books at the Cascade Library.
He was active in the L-3-5 Marine Group and the Marine Coordinating Council. He was a member of the 0700 Cardiac Rehab group at Spectrum Health-Blodgett.
Survivors include four daughters, Susan Perry, Katherine (Mark) Supiano, Mary (Bob) TenBrock and Martha (Guy) Forman; five grandchildren; nieces; and nephews.