Farms says goodbye By K. Michelle Moran GROSSE POINTE FARMS — The flag at Farms City Hall flew at half-mast on Monday, and the Farms City Council offered a moment of silence at their March 8 meeting to honor the passing of one of their own. After a brave battle with pancreatic cancer, City Council member Doug Roby died Feb. 27 at the age of 77. “Councilman Roby was an excellent council member and the consummate gentleman,” City Manager Shane Reeside said. “He had the ability to see the best in every situation and every person. He was always a positive ambassador of the city. He will be missed.” Those who know them say the Robys are a close-knit family. Roby is survived by his wife, Mary McKean Roby, whom he married in 1961, and the couple’s three adult children: Patsy Gotfredson, Doug Roby III and Charles Clippert Roby. He also has four grandchildren. Roby was born Douglas Fergusson Roby Jr. on Dec. 3, 1932, in Detroit to Douglas and Ruth Clippert Roby, and is survived by his sisters, Hermine Klingler and Ruth Glancy. A lifelong Wayne County resident, Roby grew up in the Livernois and Six Mile area of Detroit and graduated from Redford High School in 1951. After graduation from the University of Michigan in 1956, he spent three years in the U.S. Air Force. Upon returning to metro Detroit, Roby worked in business. He owned Palmer Equipment for more than 20 years until he sold the company to United Rentals in 2000 and retired. Roby’s retirement enabled him to enter public service. Reeside said Roby was elected to his first term on the Farms City Council in 2003. He was re-elected for another four-year term in 2007. “I think he was very proud to serve on council,” Reeside said. “He always portrayed the city in a positive light.” Mayor Pro Tem Therese Joseph, a friend as well as colleague of Roby’s, recalls his ability to work well with everyone, from residents to administrators to his fellow council members. “He was an excellent councilman,” Joseph said. “He was a statesman. And he was always open to new ideas for the city. … He really cared about the city. He got along well and worked well with us.” Roby periodically had to miss council meetings while undergoing debilitating cancer treatments, but he took his seat at the table as often as possible. During a public meeting on a proposed addition at Brownell Middle School last May — an issue that raised concerns among a number of neighbors — a visibly frail Roby was on hand for much of the meeting to listen to those concerns, despite his condition. Those who knew him say that’s just the kind of person Roby was. He took his service to the city seriously, researching the issues and trying to make fair and informed decisions in the best interests of the city. “He absolutely loved the community, and that’s what made him a good council member,” Mayor James Farquhar said. “He enjoyed being on council. Whatever he did was very thoughtful, very conscientious. They don’t make them like him anymore. He was a true gentleman. He gave everything the best consideration. He will be missed.” A memorial service for Roby will take place at 11 a.m. March 13 at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 50 East Fisher Freeway, at Woodward, in Detroit. He will be interred in June at Pointe Aux Barques. Those wishing to make a memorial donation in Roby’s name can do so by sending donations to the Pancreatic Cancer Foundation, Beaumont Hospital, 3601 West 13 Mile Road, Royal Oak, MI 48073. You can reach Staff Writer K. Michelle Moran at kmoran@candgnews.com or at (586) 498-1047. |
