Obituary

Robert Nelson Jereau passed to new life after a very brief illness on March 7, 2026. Bob was born in Bay City, MI, on September 16, 1927, and was the fourth of five children and the only son born to Robert Wesley and Marie Catherine Jereau. His family called him “Sonny” to differentiate him from the other Roberts in the family.

Bob served in the U.S. 3^rd Army Constabulary from 1946 – 1949 where he was stationed in Germany and was honorably discharged as a staff sergeant. After returning to Bay City, Bob attended community college to become a tool designer and worked for Dow Chemical. He later moved to Louisville, KY to work for Tube Turns Plastics. There he met and married (Frances) Ann Clem in 1957 and had two daughters, Robin and Julie. The family moved to Lee’s Summit, MO, in 1966 when Bob accepted a job with Bendix Corp. in Kansas City, MO. He left Bendix briefly to work for Hallmark Cards, returning to Bendix (later called Allied Signal and now called Honeywell) where he retired at the age of 70 in 1997.

Bob was a loving and selfless father, raising his teenage daughters on his own after his divorce. He passed on to them his practical, common-sense philosophies and strong work ethic along with his love of dogs, gardening, homemade popcorn and chocolate candy. He was a classical music and Broadway musical enthusiast. Bob was someone who always had a positive outlook on life. His hobbies over the years included bowling, being a member of the Commemorative Air Force (Heart of America Wing), beekeeping, woodworking and wood carving. After retirement he volunteered yearly in April at the Kentucky Three-Day Event in Lexington, Kentucky with daughter Robin, where he earned the nickname “Dad” from his fellow volunteers. The organization’s Board of Directors presented him with their 2^nd annual “Buddy Wade Volunteer of The Year Award” which he aptly earned. He also enjoyed watching and collecting old movies, working in the yard, and having all kinds of adventures with his best friends and exercise buddies Mark, Monte and Sam, whom he called his “adopted sons”.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents and sisters Elaine Abbs, Frances Allen, Peggy Ross, and Barbara Larson. He is survived by his daughters Robin Cravens (Wayne), Julie Pryor, granddaughter Christina Haden (Seth) and three great-granddaughters Skylar, Devyn and Layla, nieces Coni Ellis, and Jo Majeske, and nephews Mike Abbs and Lee Larson.

Services will be held Friday, March 27 at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Higginsville, MO at 11:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Commemorative Air Force – Heart of America Wing, 6 Aero Plaza, New Century, Kansas 66031.