Robert D. LaMoreaux PhD

Dr. Robert D. LaMoreaux, PhD, Lt, USNR, Supply Corps packed his sea bag and shipped out of this world on Monday evening September 20 in the same manner in which he lived his life, feisty and surrounded by loved ones. The official cause of death was heart failure and stroke, but his children believe it was a broken heart that never mended. He was finally ready to join his beloved wife Carole in Heaven.
Born on July 31, 1933 in Cleveland, Ohio to Hilda and Dave (Mark David) LaMoreaux, Robert attended elementary school in Trenton, Michigan and High School in Eustis, Lake County, Florida, where he was one of the first Eagle Scouts in the area. Robert graduated from The University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Commerce and received his MBA and PhD from Michigan State University. In addition, he obtained a PhD from Central California University. He served in the Navy, retiring officially from the Naval Reserve after 13 years. Robert worked for 25 years for General Motors and concurrently for Lansing Community College where he taught for 30 years. Upon retiring from Oldsmobile, he began working at the MSU School of Packaging, where he taught and ran seminars for 15 years. In total, Robert taught for nine different institutions of higher education. Despite these many jobs, Robert was always home for 6:00 dinner and available to attend all his children's school events.
Robert was recognized as a Barcode pioneer when he was elected an original member of the Automatic Identification Capture 100 Honorary Society. He gave numerous talks on barcode and automatic identification in this country and internationally. He wrote books on the subject and earned awards for writing standards in the field. In addition, he earned his Master Mechanic certificate and could fix anything on a car or in a house. His thriftiness in work, play and purchasing made him very innovative.
A few years ago, Robert compiled his "Bucket List" and completed it last year. He was an avid traveler, having visited all 50 state capitals, the North Pole, and many countries in Europe, South America and the Caribbean. He took one of the last Concorde flights across the Atlantic.
But by far, his greatest joy was his children and grandchildren. He regularly attended sports events, being the loudest rooter for Waverly teams and traveling to see his granddaughters play golf and volleyball and perform in plays. He was incredible at finding the adventure in everyday life whether it was planning capers to "steal" napkins from McDonalds, creating Camp GrandBob for his grandchildren or telling stories about his life on Pluto.
Well known and admired for his extraordinary eyebrows, dating became his hobby several years after his wife's death and he made many new friends this way. He kept track of his travels with the ladies and all of his dates on his beloved iPhone, never double-booking. He gave a yearly neighborhood barbecue, and hosted parties for families, international guests, and Irish Americans.
Robert was predeceased by his wife, Carole Catherine Coyne, daughter Hilda, grandson Cristoffer Harris, his brother Duane, and Tom and Joyce Coyne. He is survived by his children and their spouses: Catherine and Lawrence Paone, Mary and Dan Browning, Coyne and Mark Harman, Rob and Danielle LaMoreaux, James and Bridget Wackerly, Carole and Hans Harris, and his housemate daughter, Rita. In addition to Cristoffer, he has eleven grandchildren: Anna and Laura Paone, Gwendolyn Browning, Chrysogonus and Michael Harman, Colin Hoard, Camille and Abigale LaMoreaux, Brittani, Hans and Carole Harris. He leaves behind his brothers and sisters-in-laws, David and Patti, Donald and Marlene, Douglas and Jenny, and Elizabeth; Cousins Harry and Betty Schmidt, Doris Siebert, and LaMoreaux and Coyne nieces and nephews. Despite claiming to hate animals, his special friends Leo, Catherine, Henry, Lola, and Buddy, will miss the treats he used to sneak them.
The wake will be held at Tiffany Funeral Home, 3232 W. Saginaw, Lansing, Thursday September 23rd at 7p.m. with viewing from 5pm to 8pm and Friday September 24th 11a.m.to 4p.m., with family available 11am to 2pm. Friends may sign the online guestbook at www.tiffanyfuneralhome.com.
The funeral Mass will be at 10:30a.m. Saturday, September 25 at St. Gerard Parish, 4437 W. Willow Highway, Lansing. Interment will follow at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the LaMoreaux Harris Memorial Fund, which was established in memory of Carole LaMoreaux, Hilda LaMoreaux and Cristoffer Harris. The Fund makes contributions to local libraries in their names. Contributions may be sent to: LaMoreaux Harris Fund, P.O. Box 14005,Lansing, MI 48901-4005, or through lamoreauxharrismemorial.org.