Robert “Bob” Earl Dorr

Robert Earl “Bob” Dorr died peacefully at his home, on December 10, 2023, surrounded by family and his two beloved dogs, Roxie and Tilly.  He fought a short battle with Parkinson’s and Dementia.

Born on July 2, 1941, in Flint, Michigan, Bob was the eldest of Ellen McCartney and Roland Earl Dorr’s two children. Bob attended Shephard High School where he joined the track, basketball and football teams. His football coach, Bob Nelson, and his uncles, John Goodwin and Harold Dorr, were important mentors to Bob after he lost his father at a young age.  They taught him the value of hard work.

Bob began his career as a door-to-door salesman and then completed an Electrical Apprenticeship at General Motors to pay for college.  He attended the University of Michigan, where he met his wife, Mary Kay Fillinger, and graduated with a bachelor’s and master’s degree in business.  Bob worked in banking and finance. At heart he was an entrepreneur who started and led several successful businesses.

Bob married Mary Kay on May 6, 1966. It was love at first sight. A man of grand gestures, he proposed to her in front of hundreds of people at noon on Michigan’s campus. Bob and Mary Kay were blessed with four children and 11 grandchildren. He was a devoted and loving father and grandfather.  They were married for 57 years, and Bob referred to Mary Kay as the “love of my life” until his final breath.  

They lived in Naples, Florida for the past 25 years, where they met a wide circle of dear friends.  He was an avid golfer and enjoyed fishing and playing the piano. Bob looked forward to golfing with his buddies every week.  Even after he could no longer play, his buddies continued to bring him along for the ride and conversation.

Bob never met a stranger. He treated everyone with kindness and respect.  His secret to life was to give more than he received.

Most of all, he treasured his family and friends.  The highest compliment you can pay someone is to say that they are a good person. Bob was a good person. 

Bob is predeceased by his mother, father and sister, Joann Stafford.

He is survived by his loving wife, Mary Kay; four children, Katherine Kelley (Andrew Correll), Robert (Renee) Dorr, Chrissy (Mark) Sanderson, and Amy (Richard) Davis; and 11 grandchildren.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the American Parkinson’s Disease Association https://www.apdaparkinson.org/, Haven Hospice Foundation https://beyourhaven.org/, and Alzheimer’s Association https://www.alz.org/.

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