Robert Ernest Phillips

Robert Ernest Phillips, age 73, passed away at his home on January 1, 2022 surrounded by the love of his family, and following a courageous battle with cancer. Robert was born April 7, 1948 in Bay City, the son of the late Curtis and Dorothy (Laux) Phillips. He grew up in Fairgrove and graduated from Akron-Fairgrove Schools in 1966. He met his wife, Karen, at the Blue Blazer Teen Night Club in Caro in the fall of 1965. They were married in October of 1968 and moved to Big Rapids where he continued his studies in Machine Tool Teacher Education at Ferris State University. Following graduation, he went to work for General Motors in Saginaw at Nodular Iron and then transferred to Grey Iron, retiring in 1997. Robert's favorite times were spent with family, traveling, driving the BMW M3, working in his shop, and playing banjo. He was an energetic craftsman who could build anything from bird houses to banjos and had the natural ability to repair anything. He was a man with many talents. Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Karen; sons, Chadwick (Denise), Bradley (Nova), Robert (Keri); grandsons, Braedon, Greyson, and Robert; his sister, Diane (Bill) Dowell; brother, Dennis; many nieces and nephews; and close friends, Doug and Sandy Don. In keeping with Robert's wishes, cremation has taken place. A graveside memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 11, 2022 at Brookside Cemetery in Fairgrove with Rev. Michele Hile officiating.