Robert L. Tidey

Tidey Robert Leroy Robert L. Tidey of Toledo, formerly of Benton Harbor, MI, age 88, passed away Saturday Feb. 18, 2012 at Flower Hospital in Sylvania, OH. Mr. Tidey was born July 2, 1923 in Eau Claire, MI to Earl former City Clerk of Benton, Harbor and Ethel Strome Tidey. Bob was a 1941 graduate of Benton Harbor High School, where he excelled in music, band, orchestra, glee club and choir. He was a member of the Twin City Symphony as well as the St. Joseph Municipal Band. He was a WWII veteran where he was an assistant Sgt. Drum Major in the American Forces Western Pacific Headquarters Band AFWESPAC in Manila, Philippines. He was awarded two bronze stars, one in Asiatic Pacific Theatre and the Philippines Liberation Theatre. While home on furlough, he married his high school sweetheart, Florence Lokay of Berwyn, Il, on Dec. 16, 1944. After the war, he returned to Benton Harbor where he was a buyer and shipper of produce off the Benton Harbor fruit market. He also operated his own fleet of trucks. Bob moved to Toledo in 1972 and took a position as sales transportation representative for Great Lakes Express Trucking Co. He also worked for IML and Transcon Freight Lines as a sales rep. covering Northwest Ohio and South East MI, as west coast distribution manager, retiring in 1983. He was a member of the Toledo Transportation Club and while in Benton Harbor a lifelong member of Fruit Belt VFW post 1137. Bob was an avid Michigan State University sports fan. He was also a member of the Toledo Yacht Club, where he and his wife Flo enjoyed boating and fishing on Lake Erie aboard the FloBob. He is survived by his son, Mark Tidey; daughter, Marcia Leu; sister, Wanda Ullig; grandsons, Justin and Blake Fisch; great grandchildren, Lexi, Bryan, and Bowen. He was preceded in death by his wife, Florence. Visitation will be on Tuesday from 9:00 Am-11:00 am at Dey-Florin Funeral Home 2506 Niles St. Joseph, MI 49085 where services will be held on Tuesday at 11:00 AM. Local arrangements by Walker Funeral Home 419-841-2422. Condolences may be sent to the family at walkerfuneralhomes.com