Robert Weinbaum

Robert (Bob) Courier Weinbaum, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and dear friend, died on December 1, 2022, at the age of 87, surrounded by his loved ones, in Royal Oak, Michigan. Bob was born February 23, 1935, to Harry and Shirley Weinbaum. Also nurtured by an extended loving family of uncles and aunts he and his sister, Barbara, thrived in NW Detroit. He attended the University of Michigan, and headed Michigamua, a senior honorary society whose ring he wore until his death. He went on to Michigan Law School, graduating in 1959. He founded the Mackinaw City Town Crier newspaper with a couple of college buddies. It is still in publication. After a brief stint in private practice, Bob joined the United States Department of Justice under Robert F. Kennedy as a trial attorney in 1962. Bob represented the United States in United States v General Motors in a case involving antirust issues related to Chevrolet. Bob won the case, which went all the way to the Supreme Court. GM would subsequently offer Bob a position which he would accept. He came home to metro Detroit and began what would become his life-long passion - making General Motors more accountable: safer for its employees as well as responsible for better and safer cars. He rose through the ranks to Associate General Counsel, winning approval from the Federal Trade Commission for GM's joint venture with Toyota. Bob served as chair of the American Bar Association's anti-trust section, a singular honor for a corporate, in-house lawyer. Just before his retirement from GM he worked on a robust study of GM's role in Germany prior to WWII and published its findings. Backing up the story a bit: prior to Bob being offered the position at GM, he took a well-deserved vacation to the Virgin Island to celebrate his Supreme Court victory. It was on a St Thomas beach he encountered an island woman weaving hats. They began to chat, and she ended the conversation by telling him that he would soon meet a dark-haired woman that would change his life. Later that evening while at Galleon House Inn looking for a Coke behind the bar, a dark-haired, blue-eyed woman asked if she could help him. That was his May. After just eight months of letters and courtship and 21 days in each other's company, they would marry. May and her three children, Jeanne, Rob and Amy, moved to DC and then later this new family would move to Detroit when Bob would join GM in 1968. Together Bob and May raised three children, then four, when John Henry was born. Political activism was a key component to their world, be it the anti-war movement or social justice in Detroit. They made time with family in Charlevoix; Lake Michigan being one of Bob's great loves and they enjoyed Michigan football with dear friends. Island life was always an undercurrent in their relationship, and they would made Key West their new island home. They enjoyed their house on Georgia Street for many years, eventually moving there in retirement. Key West vacations for their grandchildren Elliot, Franny, Jordan, Nicholas, Cortlyn and Ty are some of the best memories ever. He found time to serve on the board of the Key West Historical Museum and do satisfying pro-bono and consulting work for many. May's battle with Parkinson would become consuming in her later years, and Bob's attention to her quality of life and her needs, which became constant, is legendary. He would also state she took care of him. The world has lost truly a gentle, loving man, one who treated all with dignity and respect; a man whose love was constant and truly led by example. Those of us who were lucky to call him Dad, Grandpa, Poppa and friend are missing him so. We were lucky. He is now with his May. Ciao, ciao. If you wish to remember Bob with a charitable donation, please consider the Southern Poverty Law Center or the Michael J. Fox Foundation. No memorial is planned at this time.

Robert Weinbaum

February 23, 1935 - December 1, 2022