Deceased June 20, 2020

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In Memory

Bob spent his entire career with Paul Steketee and Sons Co., a prominent department store chain in southwestern Michigan, headquartered in downtown Grand Rapids. He and an older brother, Dick ’46, worked together in expanding the family enterprise founded in 1862. Steketee’s was sold in 1991 when Bob was chairman of the board.

Bob went to East Grand Rapids High School before arriving at Amherst, majoring in history and joining Psi Upsilon. He was a very accomplished racquets player, winning his “A” four years in squash and captaining the varsity tennis team his junior year.

After serving in the Army during the Korean War, Bob went back to life in Grand Rapids. He was on the boards of a local hospital, United Community Services and the Association for the Blind. Besides tennis, squash and golf, his other interests included hunting and fishing. Several years ago, he and I found ourselves sitting one row from each other when the Amherst women’s basketball team was in the final four at Hope College.

Bob, who died at the age of 91 in June 2020, is survived by his wife of 68 years, Peggy; sons Rob (Pam) and William (Susan); and daughter Margie (David) Chism, as well as eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

John Priesing ’50