Robert E "Bob" Lapish Jr.

Robert E. “Bob” Lapish, Jr, 77, of Marysville, Michigan, passed away on August 6, 2025 following a courageous battle with cancer.

Born on March 21, 1948, in Port Huron, Michigan, Bob was the son of the late Robert E and Lorraine Lapish. He married Sally Friedland on January 29, 1971. They shared the next 54 years together raising their three daughters, Nicole (Alyne) Rankin, Erika (Patrick) O’Brien, and Stacy (Jim) Clow. Bob loved being Papa to his four grandchildren, Natalie Rankin, Griffin Clow, Landon Clow and Cooper Rankin, who were the joys of his life.

From the time he was young, Bob was an avid baseball player. “Laper” took the mound for every game during his high school career. As a southpaw, he threw a wicked curve ball which got the attention of the Detroit Tiger scouts. He led the team to several memorable victories including one in which he pitched 13 innings and struck out 22 in a 1-0 victory. Bob also enjoyed playing hockey and was a member of the Port Huron Catholic hockey team that was inducted into the Port Huron Sports Hall of Fame.

Upon high school graduation, Bob voluntarily enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, serving from 1966 to 1969. While deployed in Vietnam as a sniper, he was wounded and later received a Purple Heart.

Bob worked for Chrysler for 35 years as an industrial engineer. He was fortunate to retire early at age 57 and spent the next 20 years traveling throughout the United States, wintering in Gulf Shores, playing golf, including shooting two holes in one, and cheering on his grandkids at their various activities.

In addition to his wife, children and grandchildren, Bob is survived by his sisters; Julie (Rick) Seefried and Martha (Brian) Hanley; brother, Dan (Jenyfer) Lapish; brother-in-law, Don Wilson; and stepbrother, Mike Roche. Bob is also survived by brothers-in law, Randy (Diana), David (Sue), Brian, Paul (Caren) Friedland; sister-in-law, Sally Friedland; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his sisters, Linda (Don) Leffler and Nancy Wilson; his stepfather, Fred Roche; his in-laws, Bud and Peg Friedland, and brother-in law, Kevin Friedland.

Visitation will be held from 2 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, August 13, 2025 in Karrer-Simpson Funeral Home. A Rosary will be recited at 7:30 p.m.

Bob’s Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 14, 2025 in Holy Trinity Parish St. Stephen Catholic Church with visitation beginning at 10:30 a.m. The Reverend Bradley Forintos will officiate.

Burial will be in Mount Hope Cemetery, Port Huron. Military honors will be conducted under the auspices of the U.S. Marine Corps and the St. Clair County Allied Veterans Honor Guard.

Bob’s family kindly requests donations be made to The Rainbow Connection or Blue Water Hospice Home. To send condolences, visit karrersimpson.com