Traverse City Record-Eagle

Archive: Tuesday

January 22, 2013

Robert P. Denton

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FRANKFORT — Bob was a lifelong resident of Frankfort. He was born in 1920 to Robert J. Denton and Vera Anderson. Bob passed away peacefully in his sleep Jan. 20, 2013, at the Pines Assisted Living Home in Frankfort.

First Congregational Church was Bob's church where he served as a deacon for many years. Bob was a flight instructor in the Marines from 1943 to 1946. In 1945, Bob married the love of his life, Geraldine. Together they opened a little summer restaurant on Crystal Lake called the Polk-a-Dot, which they operated for nine years. With three daughters in school, they then decided to open a woman's clothing store named the Florian Shop. While Jerry worked at the clothing store, Bob worked for the C&O Railroad as an engineer. Together they needed something a little more challenging so they opened a real estate office in Beulah called Denton Real Estate, which they later changed to Century 21 Real Estate. It seemed to be their niche. They truly enjoyed working in real estate side by side. Bob and Jerry also enjoyed their horses and were members of the Benzie Saddle Club. There was a lot of fishing in Bob's 92 years; off the Frankfort and Elberta piers and out in Lake Michigan in his car-ferry lifeboat called the "Fever". Crystal Lake perch was a favorite meal with his family. In Bob's later years he truly enjoyed the companionship of his border collie, Ben. Bob and Ben moved into the Pines Assisted Living Home where Ben entertained everyone with his repertoire of tricks.

Bob was preceded in death by his sister, Emma Jean; his wife, Geraldine; his daughter, Sheri Sullivan; and a granddaughter, Leandra Wiese.

Bob is survived by his son, Mark Denton of Benzonia; daughter and son-in-law, Randy and Craig Wiese of Hallock, Minn.; his daughter, Dayna Morris and friend Gene Ballew of Traverse City; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Cremation services by Jowett Funeral Home in Benzonia. There will be a memorial service for Bob in the spring.

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