Robert Theron LeVanseler, Sr.
October 11, 1934 - January 10, 2022
Robert “Bob” LeVanseler, age 87, died January 10, 2022 of cancer. He was born in Royal Oak, Michigan, the son of Winfield Theron and Ethel May LeVanseler. He grew up in South Lyon and was a police officer for South Lyon Police Department. Bob joined the Naval Reserves, then was drafted into the Army, and was stationed in Germany. He was assigned to A Company 35th Armor Division as a tank gunner, then transferred into the MPs. After an honorable discharge, Bob joined the Ann Arbor Police Department, retiring in 1990 as a Major Crimes Unit Detective. His specialty was arson and explosives investigations, fingerprint specialist, firearms expert, and served as the department's armorer. While working on foot patrol, he met the love of his life, Sally, and they were happily married for 51 years. Bob and Sally raised three children, Cheryl (Shaffer), Bob Jr., and Jeff (Connie). They loved their grandchildren, Holly (Peter), Christopher, Andrew, Demetrian, Nicholas (Ashley), Michaela, Benjamin, Thomas, and one great-granddaughter, Felicity.
Bob was an active member of the German Park for 55 years and could be found holding court over the potato salad preparations before each picnic as well as having served as a past president of the Park. He had a deep passion for nature and enjoyed the family cabin in the woods of northern Michigan, hunting, fishing, and breathing in the pine and sweet sage-scented air. He loved sharing the respite of the cabin with countless friends and family over the years, for a weekend getaway or deer camp. He also enjoyed woodworking and cabinetry and said that one of his greatest regrets was not being able to create more in his workshop after standing and walking became too painfully difficult to continue.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Sally, sister Audrey Edwards, brother Donald LeVanseler, and son-in-law Warren Shaffer.
A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, January 21, 2022, 11:00 a.m., at the Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home, Chelsea. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service.
The family respectfully requests that those attending wear a mask.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or Purple Heart Foundation.
