Bob grew up in Union Lake and his parents were co-owners of Round Lake Grocery store for a time. His mother was a well respected Nurse at St. Joe’s in Pontiac. At the age 16, Bob contracted Polio and thanks to his Mother’s care and commitment, he was sent to Warm Springs, Georgia and spent six months in an Iron Lung. He went in on a stretcher and walked out with a minor limp.
Bob then became a well respected Auto Body repair man specializing in early year Corvettes. His reputation went well beyond the Union Lake borders and was sought after by people who needed their Corvettes repaired. He then worked at several auto body shops and car dealers over the years.
In 1968 he and his wife bought a lakefront home on the north side of Union lake where he lived until his passing.
He also restored and enjoyed Drag Boats with his last one making a story in Hot Boat Magazine in the early 2000’s and it can still be seen and heard racing around Union Lake on calm, flat water days, now driven by his only child, Scott Turpin.
Due to his disability, he could not do traditional sports with his son, so when Scott was 11 years old they started flying Radio controlled airplanes and were founding members of the Union Lake Flying Organization(UFO). His skills in paint and body work created the most beautiful planes ever seen. (A couple of which will be on display at his funeral) His son Scott cherishes the time they spent together at the flying fields and on the many road trips they took visiting other clubs and competing in various tournaments. Over the years Scott competed in bigger and bigger events, culminating in going to the U.S. Nationals in Lincoln, Nebraska in 1987 flying competition aerobatics.
Bob was a beloved father of Scott Turpin (Jill). Proud grandpa of Rachel and Lauren Turpin and an overall good man.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00pm on Saturday, March 6, 2021 at the Union Lake Chapel of the Elton Black & Son Funeral Home, 1233 Union Lake Road in White Lake. The family will receive friends from 11:00am until the time of service at 2:00pm.
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