Robert W. Griswold

Robert William Griswold, Bob, AKA “Boss, Jr.”, passed away on July 21, 2018 at the age of 69. He spent his final days in the comfort of his home, cared for by his devoted wife, Noreen Mackinder Griswold, AKA “Boss”, with support from the wonderful people of Hospice of Michigan. He is survived by his three sons: BJ Griswold, and his wife, Katherine McCleary, of South Elgin, IL with grandkids Laine, Molly, and Theo; son Peter Griswold, husband to Marlene Lazar, of Paderborn, Germany; and Robby Griswold, and his husband, Isaac Ellis, of Ann Arbor. He is also survived by his brother, Alexander Boyd Griswold of Grand Rapids and his family; his sister, Jane Griswold of Alameda, California, and her family; sister-in-law, Elaine Griswold of Brigantine, New Jersey; cousin Bill Griswold of Grand Rapids and his family; and cousin Jim Rowland of Edwards, Colorado, and his family. Bob will reunite in heaven with his recently deceased brother, Joseph Griswold III, of Brigantine, NJ; cousin Marge Rowland, of Laguna Woods, California; and niece Martha Griswold-Quijano, of Hawthorne, NJ.

Bob grew up in East Grand Rapids with parents Joseph Garland Griswold and Mary Garrettson Griswold, and attended East Grand Rapids schools as well as Lake Forest Academy in Illinois. He was a member of ROTC at Hobart College in upstate NY and entered the United States Air Force shortly thereafter. He met Noreen Mackinder at a social mixer for Air Force fellas and single female teachers in Oscoda, Michigan, and the two of them were almost immediately an item. Bob spent a year in Thailand on a temporary duty assignment as a Flight Navigator with the USAF and ran Noreen’s phone bill up to the heavens ($400 in 1976!), and the two exchanged cassette tapes when they couldn’t call. They married in 1976, twice, and celebrated their 42nd anniversary shortly before his death. He received his MBA from University of West Florida and worked in computer equipment sales and support for the majority of his career. He came to work at Amway in the last ten years of his life, and one of his only regrets is that he didn’t apply to work there sooner. Bob has been an active member of Grace Episcopal Church in East Grand Rapids for the past 27 years. He faithfully served in various capacities, most notably as a vestry member, reader, and usher. He will be interred in the columbarium there. He and his family are very thankful to the wonderful people at Hospice of Michigan, Bob’s team at Amway, Stephen Holmgren and the community at Grace Church, and the extended family for lending their support. He was a fan of all things Michigan, and particularly the Wolverines. He will be remembered for his loyalty, kindness, love of collecting watches and gadgets, and his sense of humor. The memorial service for Bob will be at Grace Episcopal Church at 1815 Hall Street SE in Grand Rapids on July 28, 2018 at 10:30 AM, with a visitation 1 hour prior to service time. For those desiring, contributions can be made in Bob’s honor to Hospice of Michigan or Grace Episcopal Church.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Robert W. Griswold, please visit our floral store.