Robert L. "Bob" Royea

Robert L. "Bob" RoyeaRobert L. "Bob" Royea, 77, of N7668 Peebles Lane, Fond du Lac, died peacefully in his sleep on Tuesday, December 14, 2004, in Ishpeming, Michigan. He was born on July 10, 1927, in Negaunee, Michigan, the son of James and Vivian Hansen Royea. He graduated from Negaunee High School. He served in the United States Navy from 1946 to 1948. On December 17, 1949, he married Dorothy P. Benson at St. Paul's Church in Negaunee. She preceded him in death on December 19, 2000.Bob was employed as a meat-cutter at A & P in Negaunee and Swift Company in Milwaukee. He later was District Manager for Metropolitan Life in Marquette, MI, before moving to Fond du Lac in 1965. He worked for Kovacs Insurance before establishing the Braun/Royea Insurance Agency with his son-in-law, Joe Braun. After Joe's death in 1982, he ran the Bob Royea Insurance Agency until his retirement. Family was the heart of his existence. Bob enjoyed playing cards, games, and golf with his family. He loved the weekly card games with his grandson, Joe, and the special walks in the park with his great-granddaughter, Kylie. He also loved watching his grandchildren's sports, traveling, country music, and working outside in his yard. Bob was the "one" you knew you could count on; he was always there for others. He was a member of the FDL Elks Lodge #57, a past president of the Fond du Lac Life Underwriters, a volunteer at St. Agnes Hospital, former treasurer of the St. Agnes Volunteer Board of Directors, and a volunteer for the Boys and Girls Club, Salvation Army, and the Fond du Lac Foundation



Survivors include his two daughters, Sandi (Bob) Roehrig of Fond du Lac, and Cheri (Jim) Basler of Channahon, IL; one son, Robert (Kelli) Royea of Pleasanton, CA, eight grandchildren, Joe, Rocky, and Mike Braun, Adam and Dan Basler, and Perri, Alex, and Spencer Royea; one great-granddaughter, Kylie Rose, one sister, Marian Mix of Milwaukee, two brothers, Jim, of Milwaukee, and Tom of Negaunee, MI, and very special friend, Claudean Carr of Ishpeming, MI. He was preceded in death by his wife, his parents, one brother, and one son-in-law.