Tribute to Bob Closson

November 25, 2008

Robert Closson: Teacher put heart into the theater

BY JOE ROSSITER
FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER

As a veteran member of a local theater group, Robert Closson played a vital role in ensuring that the show would go on.

Whether filling in as an actor, stagehand, usher or floor sweeper, the retired educator selflessly demonstrated his worth with the Park Players theater troupe.

Mr. Closson, who also was a teacher in the Redford Union Schools for more than three decades, died at his Detroit home Nov. 15 of complications from abdominal cancer. He was 70.

"His zest for life was absolutely contagious," said his wife of 47 years, Marcia Closson, a retired teacher. "Due to his diabetes, his philosophy in life was to do things today and not put them off until tomorrow."

Mr. Closson became involved with theater after the family moved to Detroit's North Rosedale Park neighborhood in 1976.

Besides his work with the Park Players, Mr. Closson performed in dozens of other shows with groups like the Northville Marquis Theater, Theater Guild of Livonia-Redford and the Ann Arbor Civic Theater.

"He was the backbone of our group," said Tom Ridgeway, vice president of the Park Players. "His leadership, support and friendship will be hard to replace."

After graduating from Mackenzie High School in 1956, Mr. Closson received a bachelor's degree in history and humanities from Wayne State University and a master's in education from Eastern Michigan University.

He taught in parochial schools for several years before becoming an elementary teacher in 1967 with the Redford schools, from which he retired in 1998.

In addition to his wife, survivors include two sons, Jude and Clayton; a daughter, Mary Harper, and four grandchildren.

A memorial is set for 8 p.m. (November 25, 2008) at North Rosedale Park Community House, 18445 Scarsdale, Detroit. His body was donated to medical research.

 

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