Robert Ernest Robbins, 80, of Montague, passed away Saturday, October 3, 2026, after a long and hard-fought battle with Lymphoma. He was born August 25, 1946, in Jackson, the son of Robert K. and Ellie (Calbeck) Robbins.

He graduated from Jackson High school in 1964. He joined the Marines at 17 years old, it was his dream to be a Marine since he was a young boy. He was sent to Vietnam as a radio telegraph operator where he was exposed to agent orange. Upon his return home, he studied at Michigan State on the GI Bill and earned his bachelor’s degree.

On June 7, 1997, he married Mary Jo Dempsey, having met each other on AOL in the Michigan chat room. Bob listed his occupation as “Druid Priest” in his AOL profile. Mary Jo saw that and eagerly messaged him asking if he really was a Druid Priest. Bob silently wondered what kind of nut job would ask that and politely answered no. He later learned of Mary Jo’s interest in world religions and their dialogue continued. AOL charged by the hour then and telephone bills were high. Bob moved back to Michigan from New York, where he was running a food plant, eager to come back to his home state. He found work as a plant manager at Festida Foods in 1995 and served there until his retirement in in 2013. Bob felt his job was to see to it that his workers had what they needed to do their jobs, removing any impediments to their performance. He watched out for them and they worked hard to make money for his employer, in loyalty to him.

Bob loved his family (including his dogs), golf, the Marine Corp, MSU Spartans, his golf league members, and his friends from his youth. He was known for his sense of humor, which often caught people unprepared, which he loved.

Bob is survived by: his wife, Mary Jo, who battled along with him every step of the way; his children, Rebecca Trudell ( Micah), Sarah Webb, and Lillian Dempsey; his grandchildren, Corlin Trudell and Caden Trudell; his sister, Diane Gregerson, and her children, Nancy Flynn ( Jim) and Scott Gregerson; nephew, Bobby Grinter ( Sheila) and their children, Michael and Jonathan.

Bob was preceded in death by: his parents; Mary Jo’s parents; his sister, Carol Grinter; his brother-in-law, Bob Mysliwiec; his sister-in-law, Gerri Anne Armstrong; his brother-in-law, Ron Masar; and his brother-in-law, Bob Armstrong.

A Celebration of Bob’s Life will be held from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM, Monday, October 12, 2026, with the family receiving friends at 10:00 AM, a time for sharing at 11:00 AM, and Military Honors at 11:45 AM. Following all services, the family invites you to join them to share more stories at the Whitehall American Legion Algot Johnson Post 69, 803 E Colby Street, Whitehall, MI 49461.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Pound Buddies https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=E6Z6CWL7K2HNA or any animal shelter of your choice.

Mary Jo wishes to thank his providers at Advanced Primary Care Muskegon and at the Cancer and Hematology Center in Grand Rapids for their faithful, competent, and caring service to Bob.

Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service, White Lake Chapel, is in charge of arrangements.

www.beaconfh.com