Robert Roy Youngs

Robert R. Youngs (Bob), never met a tractor he didn’t love, could play almost any musical instrument, and loved hosting an annual Walleye fishing trip to White Lake, Canada for over 30 years.

Bob was born on March 14, 1930, in Detroit to Olive Mary Ellar and Wellington J.F. Youngs. He grew up in Royal Oak, MI and enlisted at age 17 in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1947 and served until 1951. He achieved the rank of Sergeant during the Korean War era and was in the Signal Corps Branch. His fondest memory of that time was marching in the inauguration day parade for President Harry S. Truman in 1949.

After his military service, Bob attended Highland Park Jr. College and in 1955, he was hired by the City of Huntington Woods. He worked in the Public Safety Department as both police officer and firefighter for 35 years. He worked his way up to Police Lieutenant and Fire Chief before retiring in 1990.

Bob met the love of his life, a beautiful Canadian woman named Joan Frivalt, in June 1959 when he stopped in for lunch at the Lamplighter Inn on Woodward Avenue. They married six months later after he wooed her with a gift of snow tires for her car. They enjoyed a loving marriage for 44 years before Joan passed away in 2003.

Nothing made Bob happier than spending time at home with family on his scenic farm in Lake Orion. Bob remained active after retirement and started hiking and long-distance bike-riding. He was 75 years old when he completed a 100-kilometer ride across part of Michigan. He was always the life of the party and had a wonderful sense of humor. Bob laughed often, loved big, and had a huge zest for life.

Bob’s favorite travel adventure was driving the Alcan Highway across Canada to Alaska on its 50th anniversary in 1992. He spent over six weeks exploring the area with his best friend Ron Hagelstein and Ron’s sons Brad and Ron Jr. During this trip, Bob hiked the historic and challenging Chilkoot Pass trail on the border of Alaska and Canada - known for its role in the Klondike Gold Rush.

Bob is survived by daughters Jane Youngs, Julie Harrison (David) and son Gregg Cockrell (Suzanne) and granddaughter Katy Cockrell.

There will be a Celebration of Life this summer – date is to be determined.