Robert Persinger

Robert A. Persinger, age 46, a resident of Madison Heights for the last 15 years, formerly of Troy and West Branch, died May 6, 2013 at William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak. He was born February 6, 1967 in Mount Clemens. Rob pursued his lifelong dream of becoming a professional musician and attended the Guitar Institute of Technology in Hollywood, CA right out of high school. He then moved back home to Troy and was taking classes at Oakland Community College where he met his future wife, Kristie, when she almost hit him with her car as he walked through the campus parking lot. They both transferred to Central Michigan University, where he received his bachelor's degree. Rob played guitar professionally with such community theatre groups as Stagecrafters in Royal Oak, The Village Players in Birmingham, St. Dunstan's Theatre in Bloomfield Hills, and many more theatres throughout metro Detroit. He also played guitar in the folk groups at Holy Family Parish in West Branch, St. Vincent Ferrer in Madison Heights and St. Mary's Catholic Church in Royal Oak. Rob was an active member at St. Mary's. He worked as an assistant in the Religious Education Department and with the Changing Lives Together Campaign. He was actively pursing becoming an auxiliary member with the Order of Malta. Rob was an Eagle Scout and continued the tradition of scouting with his sons as a scout leader. Following in his dad's footsteps, his son Anthony just achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. Rob also enjoyed camping and traveling Michigan, especially Mackinaw Island and the West Branch area. He was the beloved husband of Kristie Renaud Persinger; the couple married September 28, 1991 in Berkley; loving father of Anthony, Nicholas and Benjamin Persinger; cherished son of the late Neil and Mary Persinger; son-in-law of Tim Kelly Renaud and the late Jackie Renaud; brother-in-law of Tim Kathy Renaud, Kelly Renaud and Kathy Shawn Stewart; proud uncle of Tim and Emma Renaud, Devin and Alana Stewart; godfather of Ana Rusin and also survived by her brother, Sam Rusin. There will be a memorial visitation Sunday 1-8 p.m. and Monday 4-8 p.m. with a 7 p.m. prayer service at the Wm. Sullivan & Son Funeral Home, 705 W Eleven Mile Road 4 blocks E of Woodward, Royal Oak. The family will receive friends Tuesday 9:30 a.m. until the time of the memorial service 10 a.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church in Royal Oak, with the Rev. Steven Wertanen officiating. Share your memories at www.sullivanfuneraldirectors.com.