Robert F. Plante

Robert F. Plante, 88, of St. Joseph passed away Friday, August 26, 2011 at Caretel Inns in St. Joseph. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, September 24, 2011 from 3:00 P.M. until 5:00 P.M. at Starks and Menchinger Funeral Home, 2050 Niles Avenue, St. Joseph. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church. Those wishing to sign Robert’s memory book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Robert was born in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, to Daniel and Jessica (Franzen) Plante on August 17, 1923. He was a veteran of WWII and served as a pilot in the Royal Canadian Air Force. Robert received a Bachelors of Science in Mechanical and Industrial Engineering from Queens University in Kingston, Ontario, Canada, and a Masters in Business Administration from Michigan State University. Robert spent 33 years of his career as an engineer at Whirlpool. He was the recipient of many patents and proudly described himself to his family and friends as a scientist and polymer physicist. After retirement, Robert directed his interests to public service and charitable work, and was honored to serve as Chairman of the Southwestern Michigan Regional Airport Board and as Treasurer for Birthright. He was also a member of Golden Eagles, St. Joseph River Yacht Club, Paw Paw Lake Yacht Club, Twin City Camera Club, and BenJo Investment Club. Robert was an avid photographer who let very few moments in life go undocumented. He had an unquenchable thirst for knowledge and studied new topics and researched questions that intrigued him until the day that he died. Robert is survived by his son, Daniel R. (Margaret) of Glenview, Illinois; his daughter Norah P. (Brian) Satre of Batavia, Illinois; six grandchildren, Owen Satre, Anne Satre, Michael Plante, Livia Satre, Madeleine Plante, and Mary Grace Plante. Robert was preceded in death in 1993 by Helena Plante, to whom he was married for 36 years, and in 2008 by Sally Hoffmann Plante, to whom he was married for 12 years.