Robert Biddle (Lansing)

Robert Leslie Biddle departed this earthy life much too soon on Saturday, January 18, 2020 at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing, Michigan, for those who knew and who loved him. Age 52 years. He was born on May 29, 1967, to L.C. and Cora Lee Biddle in Chicago, Illinois.

Robert attended Resurrection Catholic School from kindergarten through eighth grade and graduated from Prosser Career Academy in 1985, both on Chicago’s westside. He received both a Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communication and a Master of Arts in Industrial Relations with a concentration in Human Resources Administration from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. While a student at the university, Robert was known for his involvement with the Black Student Union, Bruce D. Nesbitt African American Cultural Center and as a radio announcer on WBML-CABLE FM 89.3. While in college, Robert also served in the National Guard and spent time in Honduras.

Robert has always been a tireless advocate for and mentor to students. He began his formal work in this area in 1997 through 2002, as an Academic Advisor in the College of Business Administration at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. When Robert relocated to Michigan, he continued to be a strong supporter for students in his role as Coordinator in the Office of Cultural and Academic Transitions at Michigan State University where he had worked since October 2002. While there, Robert also served as Advisor for the African American Student Mentoring Program since 2003.

The impact Robert made was felt through his deep commitment to his beloved Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated into which he was initiated in the spring of 1986 at Epsilon Xi Chapter at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He never wavered in his love for the brotherhood, as evidenced by his continued membership in the Epsilon Tau Sigma Graduate Chapter in Lansing and as an advisor to the Delta Kappa Chapter at Michigan State University.

With a strong yet gentle spirit, Robert deeply loved his family. He especially loved his mother, Cora. To his brothers and sisters, Robert was kindhearted and frequently had a word to encourage them toward love and good works. Robert’s numerous family members, friends, coworkers, fraternity brothers and students know him as son, brother, father, uncle, cousin, advisor, family photographer, music aficionado and lover of people.

He leaves to cherish his life: his loving mother, Cora Lee Biddle of Chicago, Illinois; son, Kirby Joshua Montenez Buchanan of Ann Arbor, Michigan; son, Cameron Alexander Buchanan Biddle of Lansing, Michigan; daughter, Jordan-Lewis Bobbitt of Mount Rainier, Maryland; brother, Lawrence Charles Biddle of Chicago, Illinois; brother Lloyd Lee Biddle (Deborah) of Verona, Wisconsin; sister, Renee Ramona Biddle of Chicago, Illinois; beloved fiancé, Tracy Pryor of Saginaw, Michigan; nephew, Christopher Biddle of Bremerton, Washington; niece, Flertisha Wallace of Bremerton, Washington; nephew, Jason Lloyd Biddle of Fitchburg, Wisconsin; nephew, Jared Emmanuel Biddle of Verona, Wisconsin; nephew Ryan Marcus Biddle of Chicago, Illinois; dear friend and colleague, Diane Hernandez-Wodja of Lansing, Michigan; close friends, Fred Watson and Nate Colon of Lansing, Michigan; the Pryor Family of Grand Blanc, Michigan; the local chapters of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated and many other colleagues, relatives and friends.

Robert was preceded in death by his father, L.C. Biddle; son, Benjamin Reese Buchanan Biddle and sister, Linda Kay Biddle.