Robert Ladd

Robert E. Ladd, 85, of Alanson, passed away the morning of Wednesday February 25th, surrounded by family.

Born on June 11th 1940, to Hiram Orin and Mary Grace Ladd, he moved to Indian River from Adrian at 3 days old. He grew up in the area and later graduated from Petoskey High School. 

After graduating, Bob served in the military as an engineer, assigned to the 168th Combat Engineer Battalion. He volunteered his draft and often told fond stories of his time overseas in Germany, arriving on Thanksgiving day 1959, Bob did work all over Germany, building bridges and doing maintenance work until he returned home in February of 1961.  

After returning home in 1961 Bob was at the Red Rooster Restaurant when Judy Honeysette caught his eye, he knew from that moment he was to marry her. He went back the next night, and the next, and the next, he was often quoted saying  “nothing much mattered but Judy”. They spent many amazing years together and raised four beautiful sons together. Throughout the years Bob worked as a Mercury Master Mechanic at the Windjammer Marina to which he also shared many fond stories of. 

Bob was a small engine man, anything he could get his hands on, he could take apart and repair. He had a special love for Mercury Outboard Engines, and loved sharing his passion of boat racing with his sons and grandsons. During the fall you could always find him in his deer blind, waiting for the perfect buck to walk across his pile, another hobby he shared with his family avidly. 

Bob is survived by his four sons, Dave Ladd, Matt (Tammy) Ladd, Nick (Betty Jo) Ladd, and Jim Ladd. He is survived by his sister, Ruth Summers as well as many grandchildren and great- grandchildren. 

Bob was preceded in death by his wife Judy, his parents Hiram and Mary, and his Grandson Robert. 

The family would like to give special thanks to his hospice team Nicole, Susan, and Amy who have cared for him for the past year. 

Donations in Bob’s honor can be made to the Mclaren Hospice Services.

A celebration of life will be taking place up at the Farm, once the snow melts.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Robert Ladd, please visit our floral store.