Robert "Bob" Lawrence Easterbrook III Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Robert “Bob” Lawrence Easterbrook, age 89 of Troy, passed away peacefully at Beaumont Hospice on Sunday, February 20, 2022. He was born on January 31, 1933 to Robert and Lillian (Brasch) Easterbrook. He was husband of 60 years to Dorine B. (Mensing) Easterbrook, father to Robert [Bob] (Colleen) Easterbrook IV and Neal (Vickie) Easterbrook. Loving grandfather of Robert [Robbie], Kaitlyn, Kyle, Ryann and Trevor Easterbrook. Being raised on the rough side of Chicago, Bob found his escape during a lone trip to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula with his father, as a teenager. He did not return to Chicago on that trip. The welcoming locals who took him in taught him love and appreciation of the outdoors and opened his eyes to a new way of life. By the time he graduated Cedarville High School, most of his old gang were dead or in jail. The outdoors and rural living saved his life. He spent the remainder of his life passing that opportunity on to all the people that he could. Especially the kids. After high school he attended Michigan State University for a couple of years before being inducted into the U.S. Army, serving from 1953 to 1955 and being awarded the National Defense Service Medal. He then moved to Detroit and became involved in the steel treating industry. In 1976, he founded, and was President of, East-Lind Heat Treat, Inc., now in Madison Hgts. He never did retire from the family business, just hung around enough to dabble and stay involved. He was always looking out for his treasured employees, many who were like family to him. Outside of being a successful businessman, husband, father and grandfather, Bob was many things. He was an avid outdoorsman, a conservationist, an adventurist, a storyteller, a visionary, a volunteer, a leader, a philanthropist, a mentor, and a special friend to many, young and old. Oh yeah, plus a prankster and sly troublemaker right to the end. When a water fight broke out in the kitchen or the boys’ cabin was toilet papered by the girls at kids’ camp, it was always the oldest camper on the grounds behind it all. Like they say, you may have to grow old, but you don’t have to grow up. That was him. In 1979 he became very active in Safari Club International, a world-wide hunting and conservation organization, eventually serving as the organizational President in 1996 and receiving many distinguished awards. In 1984, he formed the Wildlife Education Foundation to help fund a kids’ camp in Caseville, MI where he facilitated getting over 60,000 kids out of doors and into nature. He started “a little carp shoot” then to raise funds for the camp. 38 years later, the Great Lakes Bowfishing Championship is considered nationally “prestigious” (for the slimy sport it is) and the largest of its kind in the world. In his later years, he enjoyed raising deer and elk in northern Michigan and several adventurous hunting safaris in Africa. During his lifetime, Bob exhibited loyalty, integrity, foresight, and the gift of wisdom. Many people sought his guidance when faced with major decisions or adversity in their lives. The respect so many had for him, and his opinion, says a lot about the type of man he was. He touched many lives and left a proud legacy to be certain. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Wildlife Education Foundation by mail at 32045 Dequindre Rd., Madison Hgts., MI 48071 Visitation will be held on Sunday, February 27th from 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm with the Funeral Service on Monday, February 28th at 11:00 am at Hopcroft Funeral Home, 31145 John R. Road, Madison Heights, Michigan.

Robert "Bob" Lawrence Easterbrook III

January 31, 1933 - February 20, 2022

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Robert "Bob" Lawrence Easterbrook III

January 31, 1933 - February 20, 2022

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