Robert Isbister

Robert Lee Isbister, age 84, passed away at Trinity Health - Ann Arbor Hospital May 31, 2025. Bob was born September 24, 1940, in Detroit, Michigan, was preceded in death by his parents Russell and Clara Isbister (Wild), and brother, Jim Isbister (Jenifer). He was a proud alumni of Plymouth High School and Western Michigan University. Bob met his loving wife of nearly 59 years, Susan (Slack), while they were students at Western Michigan. They enjoyed spending many summers at Oak Beach, Michigan, their retirement years wintering in Indian Shores, Florida, and taking vacations with their WMU friends. Bob was an accountant/financial controller for a number of material handling companies in the Detroit area. He was the founding member of the Buryl Hill Inc. Tuesday afternoon golf league at the Farmington Hills Golf Club (formerly San Marino). Playing golf all over the country at some of the finest resort courses available was an adventure he shared with dear friends. When Bob wasn’t chasing the little white ball around the course, he spent a large part of his recreation time in the pool. A U.S. Masters swimmer for many years, he competed for both State and National Championships during his competitive years. As he slowed down after competing, he still found the early morning swims in the area and the friends he made along the way worth waking up for. Bob and Sue’s son, Steven, along with wife Charlotte (Hillier) and their son Ryan were a special joy to visit, first in Nashville and now San Diego. Bob passed down his love of Detroit sports to his family. He and Steve spent many years attending Opening Day at Tiger Stadium. Bob was in attendance for World Series games in 1968, 1984, 2006, and 2012. He volunteered at many professional golf events and Super Bowl XL. Bob served in the United States Coast Guard Reserve after his time at Western Michigan. Keeping his mind sharp by working on the daily Sudoku in the newspaper while enjoying televised sports was an oft repeated activity. A recent tradition of golfing Christmas Eve morning with his son, grandson, and daughter-in-law, was a special joy. Bob was a handy person who could fix or install just about anything. He will be remembered by all who knew him as a kind, loving, humble, and humorous family man. Contributions to the First Tee of Greater Detroit (firstteegreaterdetroit.org) in lieu of flowers. Visitation will take place on Saturday, June 14, 2025, at 10 AM until the memorial service honoring Bob at 12 NOON at Vermeulen-Sajewski Funeral Home, 46401 Ann Arbor Road West (between Sheldon and Beck) Plymouth. To share a memory, please use the share a memory tab on this webpage.

Robert Isbister

September 24, 1940 - May 31, 2025