Robert E. Paxton, MD, (Dr. Bob), completed his life on earth and entered eternal life to be with his Lord as his faith assured him. He was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana, July 31, 1927 and died July 16, 2015. Preceding him in death was his mother and father and only sibling, brother, Earle A. Paxton and sister-in-law, Barbara Lee Paxton. Living are his wife of 45 years, Georgia Mae (Gregerson) Paxton, his son, Bill(Judy) Paxton, daughters Cheryl Lynn (Rev. Dan) Brink, Laurel Ann Paxton, Pamela Sue (Tim) Steenstra, Kimberley Dawn Elzinga and Debra Jane (Rev. Randy) Buursma. Step-son, Guy Robert Hunt, step-daughter, Kathleen (Colin) Thomas, and step-son, Curtis Hunt MD. Of great joy to him during his life are numerous loving grandchildren, their spouses, great grandchildren, step-grandchildren and step-great grandchildren. Also surviving him are his cousins, Suzette (Bill) Yoder and Jim (Jenifer) Wehrle. Nephews, Bob (Teena) Paxton of Nevada, and Kent (Pat) Paxton of California and grand-nephews and grand-nieces. Sister-in-law, Mickey Austin of Benzonia, MI. Special friend Deanna Davidson, MD. He graduated from Calvin College in pre-med, received his M.D. at the University of Illinois Medical School and received his post graduate training at Sparrow Hospital, Lansing, Michigan. He practiced medicine as a general practitioner/family physician in Fremont for 40 years and retired in 1995. Dr. Bob was involved in church activities as a member of First Congregational Church, Fremont, Michigan. He served on the Board of Deacons, the Board of Trustees and the Executive Council. He served three terms as Moderator of the Council. He had a special interest in promoting drama in the worship service to graphically illustrate Biblical truths. Medicine was important to him as he served as Chairman of the Board and President of the Michigan State Medical Society(MSMS), as well as a Michigan delegate to The American Medical Association for 12 years. He was Chairman of the MSMS Health/Education Foundation and served on its board for several years. He was a charter member of the Academy of Family practice and had been president of the West Michigan Family Practice Association. In 1991, the Michigan Academy of Family Practice chose him as the Michigan Family Doctor of the Year. In 2005 he received the State Medical Society's Presidential award from then president, John McKiegan, MD. This award was for recognition of service on behalf of the medical profession. He had served on the Board of the Physician Insurance Company of Michigan and on the Board of Gerber Memorial Hospital in Fremont. Bob served his community through his life-long interest in the theater. For 40 years he played a leading role in the local civic theater, directing numerous productions and served on the Board of the Community Theater Association of Michigan. Along with others he contributed twelve years of his life towards the planning, promoting, designing, building and managing of a state-of-the-art building, the Dogwood Performing Arts Center, of Fremont Michigan. Of the many shows that he directed, his favorites were Man of LaMancha, Fiddler on the Roof, and Camelot (directed both in Fremont and Muskegon at the Frauenthal Theater). Dr. Bob loved his country and enlisted in the U.S. Navy in WW II, receiving his commission in the Naval Reserves after graduating from medical school. After his retirement, he grew interested in gourmet cooking and developed quite a recipe list file on his computer. Most of the meals he created were of the French variety which were inspired by his Mother's family who had migrated to the U.S. from the French section of Switzerland. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, August 12, 2015 at 11am at the First Congregational United Church of Christ of Fremont, Michigan. A time of visitation will be held on Tuesday, August 11, 2015 from 4-6pm at Crandell Funeral Home – Fremont Chapel. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Dr. Robert E. Paxton Memorial Fund - Dogwood Center Entry and Driveway Accessibility Improvements The memorial service is a prearranged service by the deceased who produced it and wrote the script. However, the homily and comments will be the words of the individual presenters. Interment will be in the Circle of Life Garden at the First Congregational United Church of Christ.