Robert Francis Vickroy

In the early evening hours of 5 January 2023, Robert “Bob” Vickroy quietly passed away in his sleep at the age of 92. Born 10 July 1930 to Wilbur and Nellie Vickroy, he was the fifth of seven children. Throughout his schooling Bob excelled in many subjects and extracurricular activities. At Geneseo High School, he played football, baseball, basketball, and was part of the school choir, though his true passion was in the debate club and drama club, where he performed in several plays. He graduated in 1947.

Upon graduating, Bob enlisted in the U.S. Air Force where he served from 1948 – 1951 and then in the Air Force Reserves until 1955. Following his service, he moved to Oak Park, Illinois and began a career in the paint industry, with his older brother Duane, at Devoe Paint in Chicago. He always enjoyed taking the Green Line “L” train into the city for work. Most days he would take lunch at The Berghoff in downtown Chicago, where he would most often be found at the bar having a sandwich and a beer.

In the early 50’s Bob moved to Milwaukee where in 1953 he met and married his first wife, Gail Eleanor Randall. Their only child, Laurie, was born in 1954. The couple separated circa 1962. Bob soon after transferred his job to Detroit and in 1964 married his second wife, Connie (Krepps) Burdette. That same year the couple, along with Connie’s two children, Michael and Michelle Burdette, moved to Warren, Michigan. Bob and Connie had one child together, Kristina, born in 1968. The family lived happily in the house on Palomino until Connie’s untimely death in 2002.

During Bob’s long and prestigious career in the paint industry he worked for Devoe Paint, Durako Paint, Standard Paint (where he served as Vice President of Sales and sat on the board of directors), Ford Paint (where he was the President of Sales), Red Spot, and Pittsburgh Paint. In the execution of his sales duties, Bob traveled the world over, with clients in many countries including the Dominican Republic, China, Japan, Germany, and England, to name a few. Even after his retirement in 2004 he continued to travel with friends, including long-time neighbor and family friend, Dee Shankie, until her passing in 2012. Some of Bob’s favourite leisure activities included watching old movies, reading, listening to music, fishing, and watching baseball and golf – he himself being an avid lifelong golfer.

Bob is preceded in death by his parents; siblings Duane (Marie) Vickroy, Morris (Helen) Vickroy, Darlene (Steve) Rios, Clarence (Marietta) Vickroy, Betty (John) Ludwig, and Patricia (Carl) Johnson; and wife Connie, and is survived by his children, Michael Burdette, Michelle Geiersbach, Laurie Vickroy (Tony Trawitzki), and Kristina (Brion) Judge; one granddaughter, Amanda (Geiersbach) Peterson; his great grandson, Cole Peterson, and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

The family has decided to forego funeral services in lieu of throwing a Celebration of Life Party, which will be held in the spring at his home in Warren for family and friends to share memories and to join in their appreciation and love of Robert “Bob” Vickroy.