Robert David Birkenmeyer was born on 5/6/1925 to Harry and Leah Birkenmeyer in Chicago, Ill. He graduated
from Hirsch High School, then received his Bachelor's degree at Kalamazoo College and his Masters in Chemistry
at Western Michigan University. He also served 4 years in the Navy as an airplane mechanic.
Robert married his high school sweetheart, Mary Lou, on 8/21/1948. He was hired at Upjohn Co. as a research
chemist and is credited with developing several well known antibiotics.
After a successful career, he retired from Upjohn in 1983. Robert enjoyed traveling with family and friends and had
numerous beloved pets. He was active on the Galesburg school board, Galesburg Ambulance, American Field
Service Exchange Student Program, and Boy Scouts. Robert and Mary Lou lived in Ogden, UT for 15 years. They
moved back to Kalamazoo, where they resided in Friendship Village since 2009. Robert was active in
woodworking, Wii bowling, the kitchen band, and so many other activities at FV.
Robert was preceded in death by his wife in 2016, and currently is survived by his 3 children, 6 grandkids, and 5
great grandchildren, and two foreign exchange children.

Please join friends and family for a memorial to celebrate the wonderful life of Robert on Saturday, August 26, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. in the Kiva at Friendship Village, 1400 N Drake Road, Kalamazoo, MI.