Attorney Robert (Bob) Barrows Creal of Ann Arbor died Dec. 25. following a brief illness.
Services will be held at 2 pm on Sunday, January 4, at St. Clare’s Episcopal Church, 2309 Packard St., Ann Arbor, MI 48104. A reception will follow.
Born in Ann Arbor on March 29, 1936, Creal attended Ann Arbor High School, then studied at the University of Michigan, earning both an undergraduate degree in Business Administration, and a Juris Doctorate degree.
Creal was a U.S. Army veteran, where he served for three years as a Captain in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps, in Baltimore, MD.
After his military service, Creal worked as an Assistant Prosecutor for the Washtenaw County Prosecutor's Office for several years. He then entered private practice, practicing in both Ann Arbor and Milan, until he retired in 2020. The highlight of his private practice was working side by side at Creal and Creal with his daughter Julie for 8 years until she became a District Judge. Creal served as a board member for over 30 years, many as president, and providing the legal work for Lurie Terrace Senior Living Community in Ann Arbor. He and his wife Patty led the PTO at both Stone School Elementary and Tappan Junior High and led the Pioneer High School Booster Club. Creal served on the board and was president of the Ann Arbor Amateur Hockey Association for over 20 years. He chaired the Milan Council on Aging and was a member of the Milan DDA; and was aboard member of the Washtenaw County Historical Society.
Creal served on the Vestry of St. Clare’s Episcopal Church in Ann Arbor for many years and was proudest of his involvement and leadership in the formation of Genesis in 1974--where an Episcopal Church and a Jewish Temple (Temple Beth Emeth) created a formal agreement for share faith spaces, cultures, and communities. He provided the legal work for St. Clare’s in this effort and served as the first president of Genesis.
Creal is survived by his wife Patricia, his daughter Julie Tsangaris (Peter), sons Michael (Colleen), Joseph (Maureen), and Peter (Diedre), grandchildren Andrew (Rebecca), Kelly Caputo (David), John (Tierney Fraidenburg), Austin and Braedon (Katie Jeup) and great-granddaughter, Vivian. Also surviving are his brothers- and sisters-in-law, Chuck and Jean Wilkins, and Tom and Sue Wilkins, along with 11 nieces and nephews and their families.
Contributions be made to the Back Door Food Pantry, 2309 Packard Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104, St. Clare of Assisi Episcopal Church or to a local hospice of your choice.
Services will be held at 2 pm on Sunday, January 4, at St. Clare’s Episcopal Church, 2309 Packard St., Ann Arbor, MI 48104. A reception will follow.
Born in Ann Arbor on March 29, 1936, Creal attended Ann Arbor High School, then studied at the University of Michigan, earning both an undergraduate degree in Business Administration, and a Juris Doctorate degree.
Creal was a U.S. Army veteran, where he served for three years as a Captain in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps, in Baltimore, MD.
After his military service, Creal worked as an Assistant Prosecutor for the Washtenaw County Prosecutor's Office for several years. He then entered private practice, practicing in both Ann Arbor and Milan, until he retired in 2020. The highlight of his private practice was working side by side at Creal and Creal with his daughter Julie for 8 years until she became a District Judge. Creal served as a board member for over 30 years, many as president, and providing the legal work for Lurie Terrace Senior Living Community in Ann Arbor. He and his wife Patty led the PTO at both Stone School Elementary and Tappan Junior High and led the Pioneer High School Booster Club. Creal served on the board and was president of the Ann Arbor Amateur Hockey Association for over 20 years. He chaired the Milan Council on Aging and was a member of the Milan DDA; and was aboard member of the Washtenaw County Historical Society.
Creal served on the Vestry of St. Clare’s Episcopal Church in Ann Arbor for many years and was proudest of his involvement and leadership in the formation of Genesis in 1974--where an Episcopal Church and a Jewish Temple (Temple Beth Emeth) created a formal agreement for share faith spaces, cultures, and communities. He provided the legal work for St. Clare’s in this effort and served as the first president of Genesis.
Creal is survived by his wife Patricia, his daughter Julie Tsangaris (Peter), sons Michael (Colleen), Joseph (Maureen), and Peter (Diedre), grandchildren Andrew (Rebecca), Kelly Caputo (David), John (Tierney Fraidenburg), Austin and Braedon (Katie Jeup) and great-granddaughter, Vivian. Also surviving are his brothers- and sisters-in-law, Chuck and Jean Wilkins, and Tom and Sue Wilkins, along with 11 nieces and nephews and their families.
Contributions be made to the Back Door Food Pantry, 2309 Packard Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104, St. Clare of Assisi Episcopal Church or to a local hospice of your choice.
