Robert Stevenson

Robert L. Stevenson, “Bagel Bob”, 62 of Traverse City died Monday, April 18, 2011. Robert was born on September 29th, 1948 in Detroit to Jack L. and Isabelle A. (Bradley) Stevenson. He married Claudia L. DeMarco on December 21st, 1974 in the Henry Ford Museum Chapel in Dearborn. The couple moved to Frankfort in 1978 and owned the Betsie River Campground until moving to Traverse City in 1981 to open the Grand Traverse Bagel & Bakery. A long time outdoorsman, Robert enjoyed fly fishing and boating throughout his life. He loved baseball and hockey. As a youth he played baseball and was a hockey player for the Jr. Red Wings of the Ontario Hockey League. A great leader of men, he led his Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol (LRRP) Unit as a Staff Sergeant in the I Company 75th Ranger Unit in Vietnam War. Robert was inducted into the Army Hall of Fame at Fort Benning, Georgia. He was a beloved father and instilled great values in his children. Robert is survived by his wife of 35 years Claudia, his children, Lauren (John Ogger) Stevenson of Cleveland, Ohio and Matthew Stevenson of Traverse City, grandson Anders Ogger, sisters Debbie (Mike) McLaughlin of Redford, Denise Griffith of Traverse City, brother Dennis (Lynn) Griffith of Livonia, aunt Margaret Bradley of Jerome, mother-in-law Dora DeMarco of Birmingham, sister-in-law Anita Goor of Troy, and brother-in-law Dennis DeMarco of Traverse City. He is preceded in death by his parents, Jack Stevenson and Isabelle Griffith. An informal gathering for family and friends will take place from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM, with a brief Military Honor ceremony at 2:00 PM, on Saturday, April 23rd, 2011 at the Williamsburg Showcase Dinner Theatre. The family asks that Memorial Contributions be made to The Epilepsy Foundation of Michigan at www.epilepsymichigan.org or by mail at: 20300 Civic Center Dr. #250, Southfield, Michigan 48076 (248) 351-7979. Please visit Robert’s webpage at www.lifestorynet.com to sign the online guest book and share a message or memory with his family. The family chose Life Story Funeral Home, Traverse City to handle the cremation.