Bob Sligh

Robert Lewis "Bob" Sligh passed away peacefully on May 21, 2012 in Vero Beach Florida in the loving company of his wife of over 60 years and his three children. He was 84.

Bob lived a healthy, active life. During the last couple years he met the challenges of Parkinson's and Diabetes with courage and grace. Those challenges culminated in several heart episodes during his last few days from which he did not recover.

Born in Grand Rapids March 27, 1928, Bob was virtually a lifelong resident of Holland, Michigan where he was a member of the Presbyterian Church. Following his retirement as CEO of Sligh Furniture Company in 1993 he and his wife Lois spent winter seasons in Vero Beach, Florida and some summer weekends at Nipigon on the Straits of Mackinac. Since 2010 their Holland home is Freedom Village.

Bob grew up in business working during school vacations in Sligh and Baker Furniture plants as a teenager. He earned a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Michigan in 1950 with a major in wood technology. In 1951 he completed a year of post graduate work at the University of Michigan and began working at Grand Rapids Chair Comp any which was owned by Sligh at the time.

1951 was also the year that Ply Curves, Inc. was formed as a wholly owned subsidiary of the Charles R. Sligh Company. Capitalizing on his accomplishments in water skiing including his National Championship in 1947, Bob went into partnership with Lew Withey to form Sligh-Withey Water Ski Company. "Bob-Lew" skis were produced in the Sligh owned furniture plants using molded plywood produced by Ply-Curves.

After serving as an Intelligence Officer in the United States Air Force for two years, he joined Sligh-Lowry Furniture Company as assistant sales manager in 1954.

1957 was an important year. Bob's dad Chuck Sligh accepted a full time position as Executive Vice President and top professional officer of the National Association of Manufacturers in New York. Grand Rapids Chair Company was sold to Baker Furniture Company, Sligh-Lowry absorbed the furniture operations of Charles R Sligh Company, Ply-Curves was sold to Bill Lowry Jr., and the Sligh-Lowry contract furniture subsidiary of Sligh-Lowry was established to market dormitory student room furniture. Bob, at the age of 29, became Executive Vice President with chief operating responsibility for Sligh-Lowry Furniture Company.

In 1968 the company bought out Bill Lowry and the name was changed to the original Sligh Furniture Co. Bob, at the age of 40, became president. Contract dormitory student room furniture accounted for half of the company's sales in its heyday. The end was in sight for the dormitory building boom that supported the post-World War II baby boom generation. Later in 1968, Bob and his brother Charlie made the decision to acquire Trend Clock Company.

Bob immediately took over as President of the Trend Clock subsidiary. Within a couple of years, Trend turned into a profit maker. By the mid-seventies the contract dormitory student room furniture phased out. Desks and clocks became the main product lines of the company.

After becoming President in 1968, Bob began searching for ways of encouraging greater participation from all members of the organization to help build the company's strength and vitality. Through his leadership the Scanlon Process was adopted in 1971 which presented all employees with the opportunity and responsibility to become involved in the team effort to better meet the needs of customers, career investors and financial investors.

In 1974 the company built a new 40 thousand square foot facility for machining in the Holland Michigan Southside Industrial Park which supplied both of the furniture plants. That was followed in 1982 with a $5 million 184 thousand square foot addition bringing all furniture manufacturing, warehouse and headquarters office facilities under one roof. In 1984 the company refurbished and moved into a clock manufacturing plant on Washington Avenue in Zeeland Michigan that tripled the company's clock making capacity.

In wrapping up his tenure as President by 1990, Bob successfully led the company through a critical period of succession. Under his leadership, he established a dedicated and independent outside Board of Directors. A new team of corporate officers took shape. Ownership succession from second and third generation to the fourth generation was accomplished along with continuity of ownership control for the benefit of company stability.

Bob contributed both time and financial support to the furniture industry and the community. He served on the NBD Grand Rapids bank board from 1983 to the mid-1990s and was past Chairman of its audit and examination committee; Kendall School of Art and Design board from 1985 to the mid-1990s and was Chairman of the board; National Association of Furniture Manufacturers President 1973 and board member until 1985; American Furniture Manufacturers Association / American Home Furnishings Alliance honorary board member 1985-2012; American Furniture Hall of Fame board 1990 and 1991; Grand Rapids Area Furniture Manufacturers Association board 1977-1987 and President 1979/80; National Association of Manufacturers board 1977-1983; Scanlon Plan Associates board late 1970s; Chairman Greater Holland United Way Campaign 1964 and member of the board and the executive committee for many years; President Harrington School District 1959-1966; Holland Rotary member since 1955 and President 1971/72; Holland Junior Achievement board 1975-1982; Chairman Top Management Advisory committee of Holland / Zeeland Industrial Management Corporation 1981-1989 and Holland Chamber of Commerce board 1967-1970.

Bob's achievements in sports are impressive. He was the men's overall National Water Ski Champion in 1947 and runner up in 1948. He won the Great Lakes Ensign sailing class championship five times between 1974 and 1982 representing the Macatawa Bay Yacht Club where he was Commodore in 1968.

Bob is survived by his wife Lois Sligh; three children Rob Sligh (Jorie) of High Point NC, Barb Donati (Bill) of Louisburg, NC and John Sligh (Liz) of Eden Prairie MN; nine grandchildren Michael Donati (Donna), Ginny McAllister (Calvin), Bill (Lisa), Anne, Maddie, Jim, Leslie, Laura and Jack Sligh; and four great-grandchildren Tony and Nivea Donati and Bianca and Liam McAllister.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Macatawa Bay Junior Association (www.mbja.org) or the American Water Ski Hall of Fame (www.waterskihalloffame.com). An open memorial celebration will be held at the Macatawa Bay Yacht Club, likely in late summer.

Arrangements are under the direction of Cox Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home and Crematory. Online condolences may be sent at www.coxgiffordseawinds.com.