Robert W Durand

Robert W. “Bob” Durand was born in Detroit, Michigan on December 31, 1934. Bob died peacefully Thursday, March 21, 2013, after a 23 year struggle with Parkinson Disease. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Ann (Weil) Durand, and six children; Peter (Ellen) Durand, Susan (Mark) Tisdel, Mary Claire (Connie Coroles) Durand, Theresa Anne Durand, Martha (Joe Schwanitz) Miller, Kate Durand Janka and 9 grandchildren. Bob is also survived by his brother, James R. (Kim) Durand and many cousins, nieces and nephews. Bob was preceded in death by his father George F. Durand, Mother, Margaret Anne (Winkworth) Durand and son-in-law, Fredrick M. Miller.

The family will receive friends at the Karrer-Simpson Funeral Home Sunday, March 24, 2013 from 3pm-8pm. A rosary will be recited at 6:30pm followed by shared memories. Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11am at St. Mary Church on Monday, March 25, 2013, with visitation at the church one hour before. Con-Celebrants are Fr. David Thomas Simpson, O’Carm. and Fr. Zbigniew Zomerfeld. Interment will be in Mount Hope Cemetery, Port Huron. His children are his pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers are Joe Schwanitz, Mike Pearson and his grandsons; Andrew Tisdel, Stephen Durand, Ted Janka, Robert Durand and Matthew Burton.

In November 1954 Bob married Ann Weil at St. Edward’s Catholic Church. He graduated from University of Michigan with a Bachelor’s Degree in English and minor in Engineering and was a member of Alpha Delta Phi Fraternity. Ann and Bob relocated to Corinth, New York with International Paper. In 1965, Bob moved his family back to Port Huron when he was named Mill Manager at Port Huron Paper Company. Bob wrapped up his paper making career traveling globally as Vice President with Asea Brown Boveri.

Bob grew up in Port Huron and was introduced at a very young age to what became his life-long passion, boating. Whether canoeing, sailboat racing or classic powerboating, his love of the water was ever present. Bob joined the Port Huron Yacht Club and raced Papermate for over 20 years.

Bob served on the Board of Directors of The McMorran Foundation as well as St. Joseph Mercy Hospital Foundation and the District Foundation of St. Clair County. He was a long time member of St. Mary Church, Port Huron Yacht Club and Port Huron Golf Club.

The family would like to express their profound appreciation to Bob’s long time support team Mary Lou Carter and Mike Pearson. Thanks to Barb Moorey, John Cooper, Mary Gosger, Paul Israel, Dr. Anil Patel, M.D. and the wonderful caregivers of the Barss Senior Residence. Without the friendship and assistance of all his supporters and friends, Bob’s quality of life would have been greatly diminished.

Memorial donations can be directed to St. Joseph Mercy Foundation, Zion Carmelites of Bowie, AZ, District Foundation of St. Clair County, Season’s Hospice or Blue Water Hospice.