Robert Leroy Merrow

Robert Leroy Merrow was born December 18, 1942, in Taylor, Michigan to Leroy and Elizabeth (Manning) Merrow. “Bob”, affectionately known as “Bobby” to many in his childhood, enjoyed playing baseball and hockey recreationally and attended Roosevelt High School in Wyandotte. After high school Bob served in the United States Navy aboard the USS Currituck during the Vietnam War. He married Kathryn (Baker) in 1967 and had

Beth soon after in 1968, Paul in 1970, and Karen in 1974 during which time he worked as an electrician at Ford Motor Company until retirement. His love for baseball and hockey continued as an avid Detroit Tigers and Red Wings fan. In 1989 Bob met Mariana (Vers) and they married in 1995 and lived in Allen Park for the rest of their days together until Mariana passed away in March 2020. Bob and Mariana travelled abroad together, enjoyed bicycling, and loved road trips. In a sudden turn of events, and several cats later, he became the cat daddy of the neighborhood rescuing 20+ feral cats, becoming involved in TNR, and volunteering many hours at the local PAWS clinic where a Feral Cat Room was dedicated to him and Mariana. He built a cat mansion in his backyard which served as a safe, warm, and luxurious home to many ferals. Bob also loved trains, watching airplanes, ice cream, and car rides along the water.

Bob is preceeded in death by his parents, sister Shirley (Mullins), and loving wife Mariana. He is survived by his sister Janet, children Beth, Paul, Karen (Rick), stepchildren Patty and Frank, nine grandchildren, four great grandchildren, and special pets Thelma, Eddie, and Finigan.

The family will be holding a private memorial.

If you would like to help carry on Bob’s cat rescue legacy, please donate directly to the Taylor PAWS clinic.