Robert Cecil Chesbro

Robert Cecil ChesbroDied January 25, 2012, of natural causes at age 93. Bob–Cecil to his family and boyhood friends–was born June 26, 1918, on his father’s cotton farm in Pike County, Mississippi. His father, Earle Oscar Chesebro (formerly Chesebrough) was a teacher turned homesteader (North Dakota, 1905) and farmer, and a native of Monroe, Wisconsin. His mother, Katie Belle Killingsworth, was a homemaker and a native of Greenfield, Missouri. Bob was the third of five children and the only son. His family moved to Lansing in 1925, where he attended public school and graduated from Lansing Central High School in 1937.

He married Marjorie Elizabeth Grace Gilbert in 1942. Shortly thereafter, he was drafted and, after training in chemical warfare, was assigned to the 100th bomb group, 8th Army Air Force, at Thorpe-Abbotts, England. Following the war, he returned to Lansing and worked at Fisher Body while attending Michigan State University under the G.I. bill. He graduated three years later with a bachelor’s degree in economics. He began his professional career with the Michigan Department of Civil Service, and then transferred to the Department of Commerce, where he worked as a bank examiner until his retirement. In his youth, he was a basketball player and a boxer, having once sparred with Max Baer, heavy-weight champion of the world. In later life, he was a passionate golfer, a game that delighted and vexed him. He made his only hole-in-one on August 6, 2002, at age 84.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Marjorie; his eldest daughter, Mary Michele; and three of his sisters, Vera Damon, Marion Hicks, and Lucille Blood. He is survived by his sister, Maxine Brown; his son, Gilbert Earle Chesbro (wife Lynne); his daughters, Jeannine M. Klein (husband Robert) and Nanette Guggemos (husband Daniel). He is also survived by five grand children, Garth Wells, Brooke and Allison Chesbro, Tyler (wife Carly) and Dalton Guggemos; and a great-granddaughter, Katherine Wells.

A private memorial service has been held. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the American Red Cross. Arrangements by the Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel.

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3 Messages to “Robert Cecil Chesbro

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Michael and Connie VanDerTuuk
January 27, 2012 at 11:23 am

We want to express our sympathy for the loss Bob. He was a wonderful man and we both enjoyed being with him. He was a good friend. Our prayers are with you. Connie and Michael VanDerTuuk

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Virginia Cullimore Strine
January 28, 2012 at 12:01 pm

I grew up next door to Majorie Gilbert & her parents Minnie & Tom Gilbert on Roberts Lane, in South Lansing. I remembered that her married name was Chesbro, so decided to look up this Obituary.
Please accept my sympathy for your loss.

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Vicki Willis Scribner
January 30, 2012 at 10:30 pm

I would like to express my sympathy for the loss of your father, and grandfather Robert Chesbro. My thoughts and prayers are with your family at this difficult time. Please accept my deepest sympathy. Vicki Willis Scribner-

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