July 19, 1935 — Sept. 18, 2014

Robert Casimir Morence, 79, of Decatur, Michigan, passed away at Borgess Medical Center, Kalamazoo, Michigan, on Sept. 18, 2014.

Robert was born July 19, 1935, in South Bend, Indiana. His parents, Casimir and Mary (Van der Heyden) Morence, preceded him in death, as well as his sister, Marlene (Morence) Gunder.

He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Pam O’Leary-Morence, a sister Arlene (George) Pogue of Scottsdale, Arkansas, sister-in-law Christine (O’Leary) Puro of Decatur, sister and brother-in-law Patricia (O’Leary) and Jim Collins and a brother-in-law Timothy O’Leary who live in the Chicago, Illinois area. Robert is also survived by numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and their children.

Robert was educated at Indiana University majoring in art and design. He also attended art school in Europe. He worked in display in South Bend at Wyman’s and Robertson’s, and was also the display director at the Frances shop. He was also employed at The Outpost in South Bend.

He was able to fulfill a life-long interest in home restoration when he opened Antiques Unique by Morence in Decatur.

The National Ski Patrol was brought to the South Bend area through Robert’s interest in skiing. Robert served on St. Joseph County Parks and Recreation Board and was instrumental in bringing the National Ski Patrol to Bendix Woods. He was the ski patrol at Swiss Valley for 30 years, serving in various instructional and administrative capacities at the local and regional level. After retiring from ski patrol, Robert worked in the Swiss Valley Ski Shop for a number of years.

Robert served in the US Army in the MASH unit in Germany and in the Army Reserve stateside. He was a member of the Disabled Veterans of America and a life member of the American Legion.

There will be a memorial Mass held at St. Matthew’s Cathedral in South Bend, Indiana on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2014 at 1 p.m. Inurnment will follow at Chapel Hill Cemetery in Osceola, Indiana.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Robert’s name to the Spiritual Care Department at Borgess Medical Center through the Borgess foundation, 1521 Gull Rd. MSB300, Kalamazoo, MI 49048. The Borgess chaplains and staff have compassionately supported Robert and Pam through his difficult CIDP journey of many years.

Clark Chapel of Dowagiac, Michigan has been entrusted with his care. Please take the opportunity to sign his guestbook and share a memory or to leave a condolence at www.clarkch.com.