Robert (Bob) E. Norris, age 95, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 24, 2026, at Quality Care of Howell.

Bob was born January 20, 1931, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the son of the late Kenneth Drew and Flora Ruth (Young) Norris.

Bob left Minnesota for California at an early age and was racing the dirt track circuit when he spotted a cute trophy girl who was visiting from Detroit, Shirley Ilene Watson. She became the love of his life and they were married on February 27, 1954. Together, they shared an extraordinary 72 years of marriage, building a life centered on love, devotion, hard work, and family.

Robert was a hardworking and dependable man who spent more than 35 years working as an auto mechanic for Ford Motor Company. He took pride in his work and was known for the steady and responsible way he approached both his career and his life.

Bob was a talented mechanic, a jack of all trades, never shying away from a challenge. If it was broke, he could fix it.

Bob always had a love and a passion for speed, power and motorsports. This was shared and passed down to all his sons resulting in many years of auto racing as a family activity.

Robert is survived by his wife of 72 years, Shirley, sons, Steven (Keri) Norris, Bryan (Dawn) Norris and Kevin Norris; grandchildren, Tyler, Larkyn, Michael and Aaron and great grandchildren, Holland and Chelsea.   Robert was preceded in death by sisters, Jean, Joyce and Merle.

The Norris family will receive friends on Wednesday, July 29, beginning at 1 pm until the 5 pm funeral service, at the funeral home.

Interment will take place on Thursday, July 30, at Sunny Hill Cemetery in Fenwick.