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Bob was raised in a small central Illinois farming community on the Illinois River where he learned to love boats, cars, hunting and fishing. After graduation from the University of Illinois with a degree in Engineering, he went to work for Ford Motor Company in Dearborn, Michigan. After a break to serve in the US Marine Corps, he progressed through the engineering, marketing and sales organization ranks and retired in 1995 as Chief Program Engineer for Truck Powertrains and ran the Econoline, truck product line. During that time he also added a Master’s Degree in Engineering from the University of Michigan and completed studies in international business at Duke University and law at Detroit College of Law. He obtained a USCG Captains License in 1994 and delivered boats from Florida to the Great Lakes, led Bahamas and BVI sailing charters, and took a 107’ top sail, two mast schooner, VOYAGER , from Detroit through NY to Bermuda then down to St. Thomas, USVI, operating a charter service aboard for a year and also driving large inter-island water taxis for Limnos Charters. He then went to work for Navistar International Corporation (International Trucks and Engines) in Chicago Illinois, selling diesel engines to original equipment vehicle manufactures, the marine industry and the military. After 12 years with Navistar he again retired, came to Florida and drove Ft. Lauderdale water taxis for two years and has been selling yachts in Michigan and Florida for twelve years. Bob is a Registered Professional Engineer, a licensed multi-engine instrument airplane pilot, USCG 100 ton Master Captain, International Yacht Broker and was Commodore of the Detroit Yacht Club in 2004; he has five grown and accomplished children and seven grandchildren – three married or close.