Robert Raymond “Bob” Champlin, 94, died after a brief illness on Saturday, April 9, 2016, at a Fort Worth care center.
A memorial service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at Biggers Funeral Home, 6100 Azle Ave., Lake Worth. Interment of cremains will be in Memorial Park Cemetery in Battle Creek, Michigan, in May. The family will receive friends at 1 p.m. Wednesday, prior to the service, at Biggers Funeral Home.
He was born September 19, 1921, in Battle Creek, Michigan, to Floyd Henry and Flora Augusta Raymond Champlin. Bob grew up in Battle Creek where he attended Battle Creek Central High School. He enlisted in the Army in 1942 and served in the European Theater of Operations. After his discharge in 1946 he returned to Battle Creek and started working as a welder/pipefitter at Michigan Carton Company, where he spent the rest of his working life, and also met his future wife.
Bob was active throughout his long life. After retirement he traveled the country with his wife and an Airstream. He was always an avid golfer and bowler and only transitioned from the fairway and bowling alley to the WII in the last few years. When he lost his wife, he moved from the house in Michigan where he had lived for 48 years to an apartment in Keller, and he adapted. When he stopped driving at age 91, he switched to an electric scooter that kept up with the cars. He enjoyed doing things with people, including his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. And he spent a lot of time walking his faithful dog, Cujo.
Bob married Elizabeth June Whetstone on June 24, 1950, in Albion, Michigan. Bob was widowed after 54 years of marriage in 2005. He was also preceded in death by a son, Gordon Alan Champlin in 1978; a sister, Ethel; and brothers, Lloyd and Theo.
He is survived by his sons, Gary M. (Peggy) Champlin of Haslet, Donald B. (Linda) Champlin of Grand Rapids, Michigan; grandchildren, Luke A. (Juliana) Champlin of Fort Worth, Daniel A. (Amy) Champlin of Haslet, and Jacob A. (Jenna) Champlin of Saginaw, nine great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
