Robert Racine
LITTLE ROCK, AR- On August 27, 2024, Robert Thomas Racine, aka Papa Bob, joined the love of his life Judy (Murk) Racine in heaven. He passed away at the age of 83 in Little Rock, Arkansas where he lived with his daughter and son-in-law and their family.
Bob was born on December 15, 1940, in Marquette, Michigan to Raphael and Rose Jeanette Racine. He proudly served in the Navy for four years and then attended Northern Michigan University. In 1965, he married Judy who he had met in elementary school. They were married 57 years before she went home to the Lord in 2022. After Bob and Judy were married, they moved to the lower peninsula of Michigan and eventually settled in Grand Rapids, Michigan where he founded Creditor Resources Insurance Company which he successfully ran until retirement. Bob and Judy raised their children Jenifer McBride (Steve) and Bobby in Grand Rapids and then retired to Naples, Florida. To be close to family, they moved to Memphis, Tennessee and Bob later moved to Little Rock, Arkansas.
Bob and Judy’s two children, Jenifer and Bobby, survive them. Bob is survived by four grandchildren: John, Katie, Ben and Will McBride. He is survived by two sisters, Georgia Carlson (Charles), and Retha Lachance (Philip) and several nieces and nephews.
Papa Bob was kind, generous and thoughtful. He was a loving and devoted husband, dad and grandfather. He had a heart for helping others. He had a great sense of humor and did not know a stranger. Everyone who met him was immediately charmed by his inviting personality.
In his younger years, he enjoyed traveling with Judy, coaching his son’s hockey team, playing golf and baking. In retirement, Bob was dearly loved by his grandchildren and he loved having donut parties and going on milkshake runs with them. He especially loved to attend any sporting event of his grandchildren. He always had a special treat waiting for them after the game.
A funeral service will be held on Saturday, September 7th at 11:00 am at the chapel at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Germantown, Tennessee.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Bob’s name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Germantown, Tennessee.
Arrangements by A Natural State Funeral Service 2620 West Main Street, Jacksonville, Arkansas. 501-982-3400. Online guestbook at www.anaturalstatefuneralservice.com.