Robert Keith Catt, 95, passed away on December 17, 2018, at Woodland Acres, in Gaylord, Michigan.
Keith was born to Orrie and Rula Catt on May 2, 1923, in Freeport, Michigan. He graduated from Kalkaska High School in 1940. In 1941, he was accepted into the US Merchant Marine Academy. Two months later, after Pearl Harbor was attacked, Keith was assigned to an Army Transport ship, where he served for nearly a year. In May of 1943, he returned to the Academy and received his commission serving until 1946. In the fall of 1946, Keith enrolled at the University of Michigan, where he met the love of his life, Eileen Wubbena. Keith and Eileen began dating in January, 1947. They married in September of 1947.
Keith graduated from U-M and was accepted into Graduate School, but his plans changed when he went for Naval Reserve Training and was drawn back into active duty in the Navy, where he served until 1959, retiring with the rank of Commander.
In 1959, Keith accepted a position working with his brother, C. Glen Catt, at Glen’s Markets. He served as Vice President of the company, retiring from Glen’s in 1983.
Keith loved the Gaylord community, evidenced by his involvement in it. He served on the Steering Committee and Finance Committee of the Alpenfest. He was a member of the Gaylord High School Band Boosters for many years, and was a member of the Gaylord Community Band and of the Alpenfest Band. He loved playing his tuba, even performing in church at the age of 92. Keith was a member of the Gaylord Country Club since 1961 and served as its president for several years. He was a member of the United Methodist Church since 1960.
Keith is survived by his loving wife of 71 years, Eileen; children, Shari (Gary) Waldo of Gaylord, Michigan; Richard (Sheila) Catt of Ludington, Michigan; and Marjorie (Keith) Shev, of Traverse City, Michigan. He is survived by twelve grandchildren, Betsy (John) Neph, David (Alisha) Waldo, Sarah (Mike) Lee, Rachel (Nick) Ploeger, Nathan (Shawnna) Shev, Janelle (Aaron) Wylie, Karee (Brandon) Brown, Lindsey (Shawn) McMillan, Laura (Glenn Walquist) Waldo, Daphne Waldo, Elizabeth (Jeff) Hanna, and Michael Waldo. Keith had 24 great grandchildren: Sylvia, John; Addison; Carson, Tate; Connor, Julia; Lillian, Annika, Jackson, Liam, Avery; AJ, Alyssa, Lydia, Jenna, Daniel; Brandon, Ellie, Ethan, Liam, Kate; Nicholas, and Samuel.
Keith was predeceased by his brother, C. Glen Catt.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, December 21, at 11 AM, at the First United Methodist Church in Gaylord, with Rev. John Naile and Rev. Dan Bowman officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to service. The family is being cared for by Nelson Funeral Home.
A special thank you to Woodland Acres and Hospice of Michigan for their wonderful care of Keith. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be given to Woodland Acres (2796 Plywood Road, Gaylord, MI 49735) or Hospice of Michigan.
11 comments on “Robert Keith Catt”
Saddened by his passing, but will treasure his memory.
It was a pleasure knowing Keith and visiting with him. He was and is a fine gentlemen. I look forward to seeing and visiting with him again on the other side. . My thoughts and prayers are with you, Eileen, ,Shari and the rest of the family.
Warren Pettis
Lyndonville, Vermont.
So sorry to hear this, Shari. Sending you love and hugs and wishing you peace and comfort. ❤️
;I will truly miss this man that taught me so much; from work, at home, and on the golf course. My thoughts and prayers go out to his large wonderful family. And I consider it a great honor to know this man, a father, veteran, and very good golfer.
I will always call him a wonderful and true friend.
I will cherish the memories I had of Keith. When I first started working at Glen’s in Gaylord, we always got a tour and got to meet C.Glen and Keith on our first day. Keith was the accountant at the time and pretty intimidating. I remember being called up to his office and getting scolded because I didn’t sign the save/share amount in red on the customers receipts. He scared the heck out of me. I found out much later though, that Keith had a heart of gold. It was an honor to work with him. Heaven surely gained another angel. RIP Keith.
So many of Gaylord’s finest, from the early years of Gaylord, allowed so many of us to follow in their footsteps. Keith Catt was one of those quiet, but sincere individuals. As with so many others in Gaylord, I had the pleasure to know, work for, and respect, Keith. Rest In Peace my friend.
Shari and Rick, sorry to hear this- keeping your family in my prayers and sending hugs.
I remember Keith very well, when we worked at Glen’s. He was a true gentleman, that I’ll never forget. I send my thoughts and prayers to his family.
Eileen, Shari & Rick,
So sorry to hear of the loss of Keith. He truly was a wonderful man who cared so much about his family as well as the Gaylord Community. He was a big fan of Gaylord High School sports, especially basketball. God Bless you all. You will be in my prayers.
Please accept my heartfelt condolences on the loss of Robert.
Keith is an upstanding man. My dad worked with him at Glens as one of the original crew for 27 years. He was always a gentleman, and will be
missed. Blessings to his family.