Robert "Bob" Edward Bean

Robert “Bob” Edward Bean, went to be with his Lord on New Year’s Day, 2024 at the age of 96 after a long battle with Parkinson’s. He said he was ready to “trade in this earthly body for his heavenly one.”
Bob was born on October 25, 1927 in Murphysboro, Illinois, the second of three sons to Fred and Grace Bean. They moved to East St. Louis, Illinois where he graduated from high school and met Adeline Robertson. He joined the Marines near the end of World War II and served a non-combatant role in occupied Japan. He returned to marry Adeline in 1947 and they began life together in Belleville, Illinois.
Bob began his sales career with Shell Oil Company and moved with each promotion. His son, Fred was born in St. Louis, Missouri and daughter Bobbie in Springfield, Illinois. Bob’s last promotion with Shell transferred the family to Toledo, Ohio. After 25 years with Shell, he worked another 25 years in real estate in Toledo, ultimately starting his own brokerage, Beacon Realty. An excellent student and quick study, he persevered and took college night classes for over 20 years at the local university where the family lived, finally graduating from the University of Toledo with the equivalent of Bachelors degrees in Business, Finance and Marketing.
When Adeline became ill, the couple retired to Sarasota, Florida where Bob enjoyed daily walks, watching sunsets, and playing with his grandchildren on beautiful Siesta Key Beach. After Adeline’s death he reconnected with a former Shell Oil friend, Carol Jewell. They were married in November of 2001 and made their home in Gun Barrel City, Texas. Bob and Carol enjoyed extensive travel together including a trip to Scotland (where Bob visited the town of his ancestors, the MacBean’s) an Alaskan cruise and travels throughout Michigan, Florida and the southwest. The couple enjoyed boating and watching wildlife at their home on Cedar Creek Lake.
Robert became a follower of Christ as a teenager. He was a lifelong Bible student, deacon in the Baptist church and Bible teacher. He was gifted with a beautiful tenor voice singing solos, singing in the choir, and sometimes directing his church choir. He was also an excellent athlete and played softball in his church league. With his outgoing, likeable personality it was said, he “never met a stranger”.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents Fred and Grace Bean, brothers, Jim and Bill Bean, wife, Adeline, and many dear friends. Robert is survived by Fred (Kay), Bobbie, Carol, stepchildren, Laura, Mark (Alice) and Brad (Ann), 4 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.
His cremated remains are interred next to Adeline at Maple Grove Cemetery in Concord, Michigan.
Local arrangements were entrusted to Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services 723 US Hwy 27 N, Marshall, Michigan 49068.