Obituary of Robert J. (Bob) Pear

Robert J. (Bob) Pear, of Grosse Pointe, beloved husband, father, brother and friend, passed away January 13, 2012, surrounded by his loving family. What set Bob apart was the manner in which he waged his decades long battle with Parkinsons. Not once did Bob complain as the debilitating disease slowly and inevitably consumed his physical body. Instead, Bob faced his fate with not only stoic resolve, but with a light-hearted joy in the "small things" in lifea taste of Roast Beef and Yorkshire pudding, the beat of Harry James or the touch of his wife's hand. He valued the life God gave him. Against all odds, he conquered a broken neck and a brush with Sepsis, both while in an advanced stage of Parkinsons. He was and is a true inspiration to those who cared for him. Bob was born on December 18, 1924 in Detroit, Michigan. Bob was a life-long Grosse Pointer as his family moved to Trombley Road when he was a small child. On August 14, 1953 he married his sweetheart, Mary Ann (Marianne) Queen, also of Grosse Pointe. Bob was graduated from Grosse Pointe High School in 1942, University of Michigan in 1948 and Wayne State Law School in 1951. He served in World War II as acting Hospital Corpsman First Class stationed at Treasure Island Hospital in San Francisco. Spending his professional career in the auto industry, he was a founding executive of Chrysler Financial Corporation from which he retired in 1989. Bob was blessed with a warm circle of good friends. He enjoyed nothing better than Saturday lunches at Pete's to savor chili and a beer and good camaraderie with his buddies, or having an annual blast at the opening of Trout Season at his cabin, Laughing Water, in Baldwin. Bob was preceded in death by his parents, John Robert and Lillian Myers Pear. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Marianne (Mary Ann Queen); his two sons, David Pear and his wife Sandy of Darien CT, and Charlie Pear and his wife Grace of Birmingham MI; six grandchildren, Natalie, Matthew, Christine, Alexandra, Channing and Zachary; his younger brother, Richard Pear; and nine nieces and nephews. Services will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, February 4th at Memorial Church in Grosse Pointe. Please sign Bob's online guestbook at www.cremationmichigan.com.