Mr. Robert L. Chandler

December 30, 1929 - October 23, 2018

****NOTE: Visitation and Funeral Service Times & Location Listed Below Robert Lee Chandler (affectionately known as “Bob”) was born to the union of Audie and Flora Chandler on December 30, 1929 in Pemiscott, Missouri. He was the eldest of six children; his parents and two brothers Clifford and Jerry Chandler preceded him in death. Robert left home at an early age and joined the U.S. Army on July 7th 1951. Prior to his departure he married Ollie Mae Evans. He served our country during the Korean War (ERC Infantry) and received the United Nations Service Medal and Combat Infantry Badge. On April 28, 1953, Bob was honorably discharged from the military from Camp Carson, Colorado. After his discharge from the service, Robert moved to Benton Harbor, Michigan to join his family where his father (a sharecropper in the south) had moved them North for work. Shortly thereafter, he and Ollie moved to Chicago, IL where he found work at Teletype Corporation and Hines VA Hospital. Employment later led him to the U.S. Postal Service in 1959 where he worked as a Postal Clerk. He and Ollie divorced in 1967, In 1970, Robert met and married the love of his life, Annie L. Bailey. They returned to Benton Harbor, MI to be with his family and he transferred his employment from Chicago and continued service at the U.S. Postal Service until his retirement in 1986. In 1988, he joined T-Force Security, Inc. as President and managed a workforce of regionally employed armed officers. He served in this capacity for about six years. A "jack of all trades" and with his eyes always set on acquiring wealth, he held a number of odd jobs: carpet cleaning, buying/selling used cars, boats and other items. He was also a great handyman and loved playing the lottery. He was an avid collector of rare and commemorative coins, stamps, miniature cars and antique items. Robert loved fishing and being on his boat on the lake. He also loved, loved, loved family and no matter how near or far, he maintained contact with them and enjoyed traveling across the country to visit them. He would sit around for hours educating us on our family history which gave him the greatest pleasure. He was a friendly, helpful, joyous person who never, ever met a stranger. He had a great sense of humor, was a great story teller (at least that’s what we called them), and an extraordinary dreamer and even though he never reached that millionaire status, he was rich in spirit and character. Everyone who ever met him, loved him. In recent years, Bob slowed down due to health challenges but you could always find his loving, committed and patient wife, Ann, by her “Boo’s” side nursing, catering to him and loving him to life. We thank God for the life, legacy and journey of Robert Lee Chandler that has led to his Heavenly destination. He made his transition peacefully and joyfully. He will be greatly missed by us all and memories of him will remain in our hearts and spirits forever. Robert “Bob” leaves to cherish his memories: His loving wife who cared tirelessly for him, Annie L. Chandler of Kalamazoo, MI; one brother, James “Jimmy” Chandler (Elizabeth) of Benton Harbor, MI; two sisters: Mary “Sister Baby” Thomas (Isom) of Detroit, MI and Betty Fox of Baltimore, MD; his four loving children: Carolyn Chandler Stansberry (Louis) of Grand Rapids, MI; Robin Chandler Staggers of Chicago, IL; Gwen Brown of Kalamazoo, MI and Brian Chandler (deceased); five grandchildren: Mark, Stephanie, Barrett, Davia, Toyo and Tommy Ali (deceased); seven great grandchildren: Brandi, Mark, Marshall, Tatyana, Mercedes, Anthony, Aisha and Aiden; two great-great grandchildren: Sanaa and Mateo; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and friends.