Robert Henry Converse

Robert Henry Converse, 82, of Phoenix, Arizona, passed away peacefully on February 20, 2012. Born July 22, 1929, in Ogdensburg, NY, he grew up in Watertown, NY, where he departed early from High School to serve his country at the conclusion of WWII. His enlistment in the U.S. Marine Corps found him assigned to the 6th Fleet in the Mediterranean, giving him his first taste of his lifelong dream to travel. Upon his return, and while attending LeMoyne College in Syracuse, he became reacquainted with his future wife, Sally, a girl that lived a block away from him in Watertown. They married in 1957 and 2 years later, he graduated from the University of Bridgeport, Connecticut with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. He started his career and family in Rochester, NY, working for General Motors until he moved his growing family to Phoenix in January of 1966. After a brief stint with Goodyear Aerospace, he landed a job with Motorola, where he retired as a Project Administrator in the Government Electronics Group. His passion in retirement was spending his summers traveling across Europe or opening his doors to neighbors at the end of each day for "Happy Hour". Bob had a disarming smirk and an Irish wit that served him well, as evidenced by his lifelong friends and wonderful neighbors that became part of his extended family. He will be dearly missed by his wife of 54 years, Sally, his 8 children, Kathleen (Rick), Kevin, Mark, Ellen, Steve, Neil, James and John, his 4 grandchildren, Sean, Heather, Daniel and Ryan, 1 great grandson, Kaycey and all of his extended family and friends. Memorial Services will be held on Friday, March 2, 2012, at 7:00 P.M., with visitation one hour prior at Chapel of the Chimes Mortuary, 7924 N. 59th Ave., Glendale, AZ 85301.