AMVETS
DEPARTMENT OF MICHIGAN COMMANDER BIO
Robert Downer
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from the Commander
Bob enlisted
into the U.S. Navy January 1969. After attending
Hospital Corpsman “A“ school he was stationed at
Portsmouth Naval Hospital Virginia. Eighteen
months later he attended Electrocardiograph
(EKG) class “ C “ school and then was given
orders to Oakland Naval Hospital Cardiology Lab
in California. Upon completion of his four-year
enlistment Bob was transferred
to US Naval Reserve and received his Honorable
Discharge in January, 1973. Bob joined AMVETS in
1998 where he got a quick lesson in an officer
position and was Commander for three years. He
has held every position in his post including
Bar Manager for five years and Post Adjutant the
last five years. At District level Bob has held
most offices including Commander for three years
and is currently District Finance officer. On
state level Bob has held the positions of
Provost Marshall, Finance Officer, 2nd
Vice Commander, Commander Butlers Aide De Camp,
1st Vice Commander, National Deputy Provost
Marshall and is currently serving as State
Commander. Bob is currently serving on several
District, State and National Committees. He is
a member of Sad Sacks (Nickel Sack V), State
Sadder 53 and serving as National Almost Not
Quite. He was Department AMVET of the Year 2005.
Bob is also AMVETS Alternate Rep. to the Great
Lakes National Cemetery (He is on the Honor
Guard the 2nd Tuesday of every month) and AMVET
representative to Michigan Veterans Trust Fund
for Shiawassee County. Bob is a member of AMVET
Riders, Durand Moose Lodge 2508, Eagle Club
3851, American Legion Post 57, Sons of Spanish
American War Veterans, Durand Lions Club (Past
President and currently serving as Sight and
Hearing Chairman) and Durand Patriots (Bob was
one of several people that started this
organization and still holds the position of
Vice Chairman). Bob and his wife Liz have been
married for 39 years. They have three children
and five grandchildren. Bob owned his own
business for 11 years while working at General
Motors as a supervisor until he retired 1998.
They currently reside in Durand.