Robert “Bob” McKerr passed away on Tuesday, August 6 at 93, with his wife Barbara at his side.  

Bob’s dedication to public service was unwavering. He joined the Citizens Research Council of Michigan staff in 1984 after a 27-year career in state government, where he served as the Associate Superintendent of the State Department of Education for Finance, Legislation, and Personnel.

Bob brought his deep knowledge of education issues to the Research Council, authoring several papers on school finance and culminated in Proposal A of 1994.

For those who have been around state government for some time, Bob may best be remembered as “Mr. Clean”, dubbed that when he was called upon to manage the House Fiscal Agency following a scandal that rocked Lansing. HFA was in disarray when it was discovered that HFA Director John Morberg and staff member Warren Gregory had been involved in embezzlement, kickbacks, no-show consulting contracts, and a scheme to arrange for arms sales to Croatia during the dissolution of the former Yugoslavia.

Bob, who learned about his appointment as HFA interim director on the evening news, wasn’t overly interested in the job but agreed to accept the challenge. Rep. Don Gilmer, co-chair of the House Appropriations Committee following the ouster of Rep. Dominic Jacobetti for his part in the scandal, explained that Bob was approached because he “has a reputation that’s respected far and wide.”

Upon Bob’s return to the Research Council, Rep. Gilmer and his co-chair, Rep. Richard Young, said, “Bob McKerr represents the epitome of a dedicated public servant. He brought honor to the profession of public service while serving for many years at the Department of Education, and that same dedication to excellence [was] exemplified by his service at the House Fiscal Agency. The agency might not have existed [after the scandal] if it were not for the leadership, advice and counsel that he provided to the House Appropriations Committee and the entire House of Representatives.”

Bob retired from the Citizens Research Council of Michigan after ten years on staff. He spent the next 30 years with his wife, children, and grandchildren.

“I worked seven years with Bob,” said Eric Lupher, Citizens Research Council President. “He was a tremendous mentor who helped me launch what has become a 37-year career working to better support Michigan’s state and local governments.

“Bob’s legacy is one of lasting influence. He brought the same level of personal and professional integrity and ability to the Research Council that he provided to the state. His work left a significant and positive impact on Michigan, and we are all the better for it.”

— Eric Lupher, president, Citizens Research Council of Michigan