Robert William (Bob) Spencer, 83, of St. Johns, beloved husband, father, grandfather and brother went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on November 1, 2017. He was born November 17, 1933 in Saginaw, MI to Harold and Lucille (Tanner) Spencer. His mother died when he was 5-years-old and the family relocated to Ionia. He grew up in Ionia where he was raised by his father and stepmother Ida Rose (Clark) Spencer whom he dearly loved.
Bob graduated from Ionia High School in 1952. He and his wife Shirley (Risser) Spencer were married in 1953. Their next wedding anniversary would have been their 65th.
After attending Alma College on a football scholarship and graduating with a B.A. degree, Bob began teaching – primarily algebra and math - at St. Johns High School in 1956. He was employed by St. Johns Public Schools for 38 years, at first as a teacher and assistant football coach and later as an administrator - until his retirement in 1994. Locally, he may be remembered by many for the decades he served as St Johns’ track and cross-country coach.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Jack (in 1945), his son, Andrew (in 2013), by his parents, and by his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Andrew and Dorothy Risser. He is survived by his wife, Shirley, his son, Jack, of Lansing, his son, Robert Jr. and daughter-in-law, Diane of Everett, WA, his daughter, Sherry McKenzie, of Lansing, his sister Barbara Greve and brother-in-law, Jim of Owosso, his sister-in-law, Marcia Bolo and brother-in-law, Raymond of Salem, SC, his grandson, Scott McKenzie of Port Orchard, WA, granddaughter, Sarah McKenzie (and Bryon Kavanagh) of Lansing, granddaughter, Sasha Spencer of Portland, ME, and grandson, Tony Spencer (and Kellian) of Seattle, WA. In addition he is survived by three great grandchildren and one great-great granddaughter and was dearly loved by his nieces and nephews.
A service of remembrance is planned for next spring. Memorials may be made to the St. Johns High School Athletic Hall of Fame or a charity of donor’s choice. The family was assisted with these arrangements by Keck-Coleman Funeral Home, St. Johns.
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