Robert W. Wolverton

Robert William “Paw Paw” Wolverton passed away on April 16, 2012. On July 15, 1920 Bob (as most called him) was born in Port Lambton, Ontario, Canada on a family vacation. As a result of his birthplace, he carried a green card all his life. His parents were Merle E. Wolverton and Flossie Mae Drew. Bob grew up with his family in Detroit, Michigan – the Motor City. He graduated from Wilbur Wright Technical School. Bob enlisted in the Air Force during World War II and was a weather man who served most of his duty in China. Upon his honorable discharge and return from the service he married Lillian Rose Barnes on August 10, 1946. This loving couple had two children, Robert and Patricia.

In 1946, Robert began working on the appliance end of Nash-Kelvinator. He rapidly switched to the automobile side at Nash and continued on as the corporation acquired Hudson motors and became American Motors Corporation. Bob loved cars, he loved working in the automobile business, rebuilding cars, and talking about cars. He relished sharing this love with his family and friends throughout his life.

During Bob’s work years the family lived in Detroit, Livonia, and Lathrup Village, Michigan. During those years he was a baseball coach, boater, and traveler. He was a member of the Toastmaster’s and the Society of Automotive Engineers. He was a Church Elder for years and was the Chairman of the building committee at Rosedale Gardens Presbyterian Church. Bob enjoyed family activities and especially trips. He was a member of the Livonia Weekenders and he and the family spent every opportunity they had traveling in their Airstream trailer and/or motor home.

Bob retired from AMC (now Chrysler) in 1978 as the Director of Product Planning. Bob and Lil had been spending part of every year in their modular home in Winter Haven, Florida. Bob became a regular and avid golfer in Florida. Their children were off on their own. They moved from Lathrup Village to Somerset, Michigan in the early 1980’s but continued to spend winters in Winter Haven. Eventually they settled full time on Lake Elbert in Winter Haven. Bob had glaucoma and lost most of his eyesight. Consequently he and Lil moved to an apartment in Winter Park for a year and then to Chambrel at Island Lake in Longwood, Florida. They thrived at Chambrel where they spent the last sixteen years enjoying the other residents, relatively good health, and regular visits by their family and friends.

Robert was predeceased by his brother Carl Wolverton and his sister Betty, Weed. He is survived by his wife of 65 years Lillian Rose Wolverton; his children, Robert Drew Wolverton and wife, Kate Elmore Wolverton, daughter, Patricia Dale Wolverton, grandson, Henry Joseph “Hank” Wolverton; brother, Edward Wolverton, sister, Ruth Rich; and several nieces and nephews. Bob will be dearly missed by all those who knew and loved him. A memorial service was held on Sunday, May 6, 2012 at Chambrel at Island Lake in Longwood, Florida.