Robert W. "Bob" Phipps

Robert W. “Bob” Phipps, 68, of Smiths Creek, died unexpectedly Tuesday, August 16, 2016 in Port Huron, following a short illness.

He was born November 21, 1947 in Port Huron to the late William and Donna Phipps. He married Annette Marie Kearns on February 9, 1968 in St. Mary Catholic Church, Port Huron.

Bob was a 1965 graduate of Port Huron Catholic High School and attended St. Clair County Community College. He was employed at Gerry’s Distributing as a sales manager for over 40 years.

He was an avid baseball player and fan who was scouted by major league teams. He enjoyed softball, boating, traveling to northern Michigan with Annette and the family, but most of all he loved spending time with his granddaughters.

He was a member of Charles Hammond American Legion Post #8 Sons of the American Legion and St. Stephen Catholic/Port Huron Catholic Athletes’ Alumni.

He is survived by his high school sweetheart and wife, Annette; two sons, Michael and Timothy (fiancé Vicky Goodwin); two granddaughters, Morgan and Kelsey Phipps; his brother-in-law, Bill (Gloria) Kearns; sister-in-law, Barb (Chuck) Teller; niece, Marcella Kearns; nephew, William “B.J.” Kearns; and his brother, William Phipps. He was preceded in death by his father-in-law and mother-in-law, William and Shirley Kearns.

Visitation will be from 2-9 p.m. Friday, August 19, 2016 in the Karrer-Simpson Funeral Home.

Mr. Phipps will lie in state at Holy Trinity Parish - St. Joseph Catholic Church on Saturday, August 20, 2016 from 10 a.m. until the Funeral Mass at 11 a.m. The Reverend Joseph Gagnon will officiate.

The Rite of Committal will follow at Mt. Hope Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Hal Johnson, Ian Johnson, Gerry Johnson, Chuck Teller, B.J. Kearns and Tim Koerber. Honorary pallbearers will be Neil McConnell, Dave Montross, Jim Lynch, Chuck Michaluk and Jim Goldsworthy.

Memorials may be made to the Thin Blue Line of Michigan or the Port Huron Old Newsboys.