Robert Paul Pingston

Robert Paul Pingston, 85, passed away in Lansing, MI on December 11, 2017. He was born September 7, 1932 in Dexter, MI to Howard and Lillian (Whiteman) Pingston. He graduated from Dexter High School where he was a Class C All-State football player his senior year.

While living in Dexter, he was a mechanic for his family's Gulf 76 gas station. He also worked as a volunteer fireman, substitute school bus driver, and in the local funeral home. He served in the National Guard for a short time before joining the United States Marine Corps. While in the USMC, he fought in the Korean War and was a mechanic for the amphibious vehicles along the front lines.

In 1957, he joined the Michigan State Police. He served in White Pigeon, St. Clair and at the headquarters in East Lansing during his 30 year tenure. During his career, he served in the Scuba Recovery Unit, led the Narcotics Unit, worked in the Division Investigation Unit, the Major Crimes Unit, Licensing and Regulation Administration, and started the Fugitive Investigative Strike Team (FIST) with the U.S. Marshals. He retired from MSP as a Detective Lieutenant. After the MSP, he worked as an investigator with the Accident Fund of Michigan.

Bob loved to golf - so much so that he made golf clubs. He also liked to make small furniture. He was a lifetime member of the Masonic Lodge. He was also a member of Redeemer United Methodist Church in DeWitt.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Patricia Stoll; and a great-grandson. He is survived by his wife of 63 ½ years, Janice; 2 daughters, Cindy (Dale) Young, and Yvonne (David) Shumaker; 3 sons, Robert (Mary) Pingston, Jr., Michael (Jean) Pingston, and Steven (Julie) Pingston; 15 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; and sister, Barbara (William) Songer.

Funeral Service will be 11:00 AM Saturday, December 16, 2017 at Redeemer United Methodist Church, 13980 Schavey Road, DeWitt with Pastor Rodney Kalajainen officiating. Visitation will be Friday 4-7 PM at the Tiffany Funeral Home, 3232 W. Saginaw Street, Lansing. In lieu of flowers, Gifts in Bob's memory can be made to Redeemer United Methodist Church or to the MSP Fallen Troopers Memorial. The family is being served by Tiffany Funeral Home. Friends may visit the guest book at www.tiffanyfuneralhome.com