Robert “Bob” Jo
seph Blair, 91, of Phoenix, Arizona, passed away peacefully in his sleep on December 6, 2017. He was born January 11, 1926 in Detroit, Michigan to William and Myrtle (Murdock) Blair.
Bob grew up in Detroit and then moved with his parents to Vestaburg, Michigan where he graduated from Vestaburg High School in 1943. Bob and his parents enjoyed traveling across the United States and working on the family farm. Bob enlisted in the US Army Air Corp (predecessor of the US Air Force) in 1944, during World War II, where he served as an Aerial Tail Gunner. He married Shirley Stauffer in July 1948, at Vestaburg Church of Christ. Bob went to college at Ferris Institute where he received a degree in Radio and Black and White Television. He was a TV repairman in Michigan. In 1961, Bob and Shirley moved their family to Scottsdale, Arizona to explore new opportunities. Bob worked at Motorola as an Electrical Technician.
Bob lived his life to the fullest as the pilot of his Piper Cub in Michigan and Arizona and as a Ham Radio Advanced Class operator. His call sign was K7PYD. He was constantly in contact with people around the world on his Ham radio all of his life. He enjoyed traveling, camping, and riding dirt bikes with his family and friends. Bob taught all of his children how to shoot guns. He was a hunter from a very young age. He was taught that you only hunted what you could bring home and put on the table to provide for your family. Bob’s passion from a very young age until the day he passed away was caring for animals. He had chickens and a dog as a toddler and continued that love of his chickens, ducks, and his dog until the end of his life. He was always taking care of birds, rabbits, ducks, dogs, chickens, and any other animal that he could gather up and bring into his home.
Bob is survived by Shirley; his daughter, Vicki Bartlett; his sons, Michael (Claudette) and William (Tonya) Blair; five grandchildren, David, Jonathan, Alexis, Jacob, and Jordan; three great grandchildren, Raylen, Kathryn, and Dylan; and his very faithful, loving canine companion, Jake.
Graveside services will be held February 17, 2018 at the City of Mesa Cemetery.
Praying for the family during this time asking God to comfort them all and to give them the strength that they need. I can remember when we were kids and would visit the family in Arizona, Uncle Bob always showed us all a very fun time. He would take us to the desert where we would ride the mini bikes (which I know they had a different name for them) and planned outings to see the sites of Arizona. He will be missed for sure.
Our deepest sympathy to family. Just like Donna indicated, Uncle Bob made sure that we all had an enjoyable time every time we came to Scottsdale to visit. The mini bike was a Tote Gote (if I remember correctly). I also remember the ride up Apache Trail back when the road was one lane and we met a Yuke (Euclid Dump Truck) coming down the road as we were going up. Somebody had to back up and it was not going to be the dump truck. And who could forget the VW Beetle without brakes (I think Uncle Bob stopped it with the hand brake). My dad (Gene Stauffer) and him went up Oak Creek Canyon in the Bug. Uncle Bob was driving and dad was hanging out the moon roof taking pictures and we were in the station wagon following behind. I have very fond memories of Uncle Bob and will miss him.