Robert F. Travis

BLACKSBURG, Va. — Robert F. Travis died quietly on Monday, Aug. 18, in Blacksburg, Va., after several years of Lewy Body Syndrome.

He was born Feb. 2, 1924, in Kalamazoo, the son of Fredrick and Margaret Travis, and spent most of his life in Kalamazoo. He moved to Blacksburg, Va., after retiring from his Kalamazoo law practice in the summer of 2004.

After serving in the Army Radio Corps in North Africa during World War II, he attended Kalamazoo College and Columbia University, earning a BA and an MA degree. He returned to Kalamazoo and became an automobile dealer, reflecting his lifelong interest in cars.

In the 70s, he sold his automotive dealerships and enrolled in the University of Michigan law school. He received a JD degree and, at the age of 50, he began practicing law.

This mid-career change at a time when Mr. Travis had a wife and four young children is not surprising in view of his long and deep commitment to public service and social justice.

Over the years he served on the Kalamazoo chapter of the ACLU, the Kalamazoo Community Relations Board, the Kalamazoo and Michigan United Fund boards and the boards of Douglass Community Association, the Northside Development Association, the Kalamazoo Housing and Improvement Corp., Opportunity Kalamazoo, Big Brothers and the Kalamazoo New Enterprise Commission. He also served on the boards of the Kalamazoo County Democratic Commission and the Democratic Business and Professional Society.

Mr. Travis was the grandson of D.H. Day. Mr. Travis vacationed regularly at his cottage in Glen Haven, and his close family connection with and love of the area continued to the time of his death.

Mr. Travis was preceded in death by his wife Mary (Richardson) Travis, and a son, Robert Jr. He is survived by sons Paul of San Francisco, Calif., Donald of Reno, Nev., and Laurel Travis of Blacksburg, Va. and four grandchildren.

Friends are invited to join the family 2 p.m. Friday, Aug. 22, at the Blue Dolphin restaurant on Burdick Street in Kalamazoo or Saturday at 4 p.m. at Maple Grove Cemetery north of Empire.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to any of the organizations he supported or a charity of your choice.

This obituary was originally published in the Record-Eagle.