Robert Gulliver Obituary

Robert "Bob" "Red" Gulliver Okemos Passed away November 22, 2012 at the age of 90 ending a happy life filled with friends, family, travel, activities and his beloved music. A kind and loving father is gone. On September 30, 2012 over a hundred friends and relatives gathered at Edgewood United Church in East Lansing to help "Bob" joyously celebrate his 90th birthday. They will gather there again on Tuesday, November 27, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. for his memorial service followed by a reception in the social hall. Robert was the first son of Ray Lemuel and Christena Spaulding Gulliver. He was born in Vassar, MI but grew up in Eaton Rapids. He met his wife Jean Welker at an Epworth Society meeting while they were both attending Michigan State. He played in the MSU marching band in 1940. He graduated from the University of Grand Rapids with a degree in pharmacy just before he was drafted into the U.S. Navy in World War II where he served on the hospital ship Benevolence. The ship was in Tokyo Bay before and during the armistice signing. Many people knew Bob as the owner of Gulliver's State Drugs, an East Lansing landmark from the 1949 through 1981. Many played in bands with him over the years, including the MSU Alumni Band, VFW Marching Band, Lansing Concert Band, Meridian Community Band, Senior Class Band, and the Scottville Clown Band. He is survived by his special lady, Eleanor Omoto of Okemos; children Robert (JoAnne) of Sugar Land, TX; Patricia Martin of Lansing, David (Becky) of Springdale, AR, John (Renee) of Lansing, MI, Tom (Linda) of Santee, CA; grandchildren Rob, Erik and David Gulliver, Jeremiah and Jacob Dalrymple, and Christina Knight; brothers Charles (Nina) and Richard (Marjorie) of Eaton Rapids; two great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife Jean Marie and his sister Maxine Bentley. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Robert Spaulding Gulliver Endowed Scholarship in Music in the College of Music at Michigan State University. Gifts may be mailed to MSU College of Music Advancement at 333 W. Circle Drive, Room 105, East Lansing, MI 48824-1043. For further information, contact Rebecca Surian at 517-353-9872 or surian @msu.edu. Online condolences can be shared at www.mi-cremation.com