Dr. Robert W. Dixon Jr.

Dr. Robert W. Dixon Jr., M.D., age 76, of Grand Haven, passed away at Harbor Hospice-Poppen Residence on Wednesday, October 23, 2024, after battling several health issues. He was born on June 29, 1948, in Traverse City, Michigan, to the late Robert W. and Madelon "Mimi" (Hawes) Dixon Sr., the first of four children. Bob married Debbie Pinkafska in 2005.

Bob graduated from Traverse City High School and later, University of Michigan with his Medical Doctor degree, where he graduated in the top of his class and was a member of Phi Beta Kappa. He served the community of Grand Haven as a primary care physician for 38 years and was a leader on the Board and Operating Committee of Greater Grand Haven Physicians Association.

Dr. Dixon was one of the last local doctors to operate his own practice, taking care of generations of families. He loved being a doctor who listened and truly knew and cared for his patients. He appreciated his staff and treated them like family. Going to the doctor should be a good experience, so kids were given suckers and baseball cards; adults were told (sometimes inappropriate) jokes, and always asked about family. Dr. Dixon touched the lives of many people, comforting those in need. He shared his love of baseball with his children and grandchildren, as well as many others during his many years as a coach and board member for Tri-Cities Kids League.

Bob was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Aerie 925 (Grand Haven), and was an avid reader and Detroit Tigers baseball and U of M football fan, who enjoyed attending concerts from country to Jimmy Buffet, collecting baseball cards, and traveling with his wife. They enjoyed wintering down in Lakeland, Florida, where he went to watch the Tigers play for their spring training. He will be greatly missed by many, especially the few lucky enough to know him best.

Bob will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Debbie; daughters, Katie (Eric) Golicz and Amy (Jim) Vantrepott; sons, Robert (Marin) Dixon III and Michael Pinkafska (Janelle Essenberg); 10 grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; sister, Jill Adams; the mother of his children, LeeAnne Dixon; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his daughter, Anne (Dixon) Shannon (2021), and her husband, Patrick Shannon; brothers, David and Daniel Dixon, and their wives; and his beloved dog, Bo.

The family would like to thank the seventh-floor staff and doctors at Trinity Health Muskegon (Mercy) Hospital and the staff at the Poppen House for their compassion and care of Bob.

The Memorial Service for Bob will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, November 2, 2024, at Klaassen Family Funeral Home, with Pastor Donna Rick officiating. Visitation will be held two hours prior to the service on Saturday, from 12 to 2 p.m., at the funeral home. Interment will be at Robinson Township Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan, American Heart Association of Michigan, or Harbor Hospice Poppen Residence. Please visit www.klaassen funeralhome.com to sign Bob's online guestbook.