After completing his education at Jackson High School in 1956, Bob was accepted at the University of Michigan in the pre-med program. Three years later, he changed to pharmacy because of his chemistry acumen and years of retail experience.

Bob graduated with a degree in Pharmacy at the age of twenty-four and started his career at Cunningham Drugs as the Manager. The store was located on Michigan Avenue in Downtown Jackson. Bob was the youngest store manager in their chain, and thought of that as an accomplishment. He worked very hard, usually working 92 hours a week to insure his success as well as that of the store.

In 1964 the city built Progress Place Mall. Across the alley from Cunningham’s a new business opened, Sav-A-Lot Distributors (now known as Daryl’s Restaurant.) Fortuitously Sav-A-Lot Distributors wanted to add a pharmacy. Bob borrowed money and went into partnership as Sav-A-Lot Drugs. Time would allow him to eventually buy out Sav-A-Lot Distributors. Business grew quickly and he soon found himself running more than one store. Allowing his father to buy into Sav-A-Lot Drugs, he stepped back to realign his priorities. At this time he met his wife Jean and they were married in 1969. They moved to Southern Indiana and eventually to Arkansas, always working in retail pharmacy.

In 1977, Bob and Jean moved back to Jackson and bought Sav-A-Lot Drugs in Downtown Jackson back from Bob’s father. There he ran a successful business for many years. He always made a point to learn all of his customers by name and thought of them as friends who visited daily. He had both loyal employees and loyal customers.

Sadly, in 2000, Bob decided to sell his business due to extenuating circumstances and close a chapter in downtown history, a history that he is very proud of. During his years in Jackson, he served in many capacities. He was elected as Summit Township Supervisor. He felt the township needed and deserved better leadership. While supervisor he always worked with a balanced budget, oversaw millions of dollars in investments, was responsible for starting the bike and walking paths throughout the township. He cleaned up areas of the township leading to new growth and new businesses. Bob was also instrumental in the creation of the fire ordinance in Summit Township.

Bob served on the Downtown Development Authority and was President of the Jackson Transit Authority. He is a member of the Breakfast Rotary Club, serving as its president in 1989. He previously was the director of the bantam division of the Jackson Hockey Association. He has been involved in numerous other organizations and has been instrumental in the progress of Downtown Jackson.

Jackson has been very good to Bob and his family, and he now wishes to give back to Jackson. Please join him as he works hard to make Jackson a great economical success, a place to grow up in, a place to stay and raise families, a desirable destination.

Bob has attended services at the First United Methodist Church in downtown Jackson for thirty-six years. Dating back to 1969, he has been singing in the choir and has taken roles on the finance committee and worship committee of the church. The experience he has had practicing his religion has brought him peace and has helped him enjoy a loving relationship with his family, congregation and community. These are experiences Bob hopes every person can gain from their religion.