Robert L. Cantrell

1940 - 2021

Robert L. Cantrell

DeWitt, MI and Bear Lake, MI - Robert Louis Cantrell, 81, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 5, 2021, in Mason, Michigan. He was born in Nashville, TN on Valentine's Day in 1940. Robert graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in Financial Administration. A proud Spartan, Bob served as president of the Class of 1962 and president of Beta Theta Pi fraternity, and was active with both the university and the fraternity his entire adult life. He was a member of MSU's Excalibur, an honorary men's organization made up of student campus leaders. Robert was a member of MSU football team's Downtown Coaches Club and served as the club's president in 2008. He was also a member of the MSU basketball team's Rebounders Club. After completing ROTC as a Distinguished Military Graduate at MSU, Bob served two years in the military as a Lieutenant. He then embarked on a forty-year career with IBM and Siemens. In retirement, Bob moved on to new adventures. Frequently asking the question "Why not?" he served as Executive Producer on the movie Freaky Deaky, based on the book by Elmor Leonard. He also appeared as an extra in the movie Gods and Generals, in deference to his family's American Civil War heritage, and became a documentarian for MSU, recording many historical interviews with coaches, team members, and other people associated with the famous 1966 MSU and Notre Dame Game of the Century. Bob was a Ford 1929 Model A aficionado and loved to drive his two Model As, frequently surprising his family with the sound of his antique car horn. One of the highlights was driving MSU Head Basketball Coach Tom Izzo in his convertible roadster during a Homecoming Parade. Bob was also known for wearing clothing with the Michigan Agricultural College (MAC) logo, which he incorporated into a unique clothing line. Above all, Bob loved his family. He cherished his summers at his cottage in Bear Lake and ended every day with a salute to the setting sun. He enjoyed history, especially the American Civil War, and celebrated his American Revolutionary War ancestry and his Scottish ancestry. His favorite Broadway shows were Camelot, Pippin and Man of La Mancha, and he frequently quoted, in spirit, his favorite movie, Excalibur, saying, "Hope is all I got."

Bob was preceded in death by his parents Robert Cantrell and Eva Frigo. Robert will be lovingly remembered by his long-time and devoted companion Nancy Wilson of Mason, MI and his children Catherine Cantrell Dionne of Wilton, CT; Robert Cantrell of Herndon, VA; Tom Cantrell of DeWitt, MI; Dan (Jenn) Cantrell of Clarkston, MI and Jessie (Mike O'Gorman) Cantrell of Los Angeles, CA. and his grandchildren Emma, Sophie, Maddie and Sarah; his brother Terry (Lynn) Cantrell of Hollywood Fl. and his sister Debbie (Dave) Dzierzanowski of Green Bay, WI and his nephew Zach and niece Amber.

Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, March 11, 2021 at The Peoples Church, 200 W Grand River Rd. in East Lansing at 1pm with visiting one hour prior. The Funeral Service will be livestreamed, to watch the service, please go to www.thepeopleschurch.com. Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery in Lansing. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Robert Cantrell Endowed Memorial Scholarship. Checks can be made out to Michigan State University with 'Cantrell Memorial Scholarship' or the code AE0290 in the memo line, 535 Chestnut Rd. Room 300, East Lansing, MI 48824 or to the Peoples Church of East Lansing where Bob served as Chair of the Finance Ministry and Chair of the Council of Elders. The family is being served by Gorsline Runciman Funeral Home, Mason Chapel. To leave an on-line condolence please visit www.grbdmason.com.