Robert Menghini

KINGSFORD - Robert R. Menghini, 82, of Kingsford, died Monday, Nov. 5, 2007, at Dickinson County Memorial Hospital in Iron Mountain. He was born March 29, 1925, in Norway, son of the late Floriano and Edith (Tamanini) Menghini. Bob was a 1943 graduate of Norway High School. After graduating from high school he enlisted in the United States Navy and served three years before being honorably discharged from the service in 1946. During his naval training in Princeton, N.J., he was recruited to play football for Columbia University in New York City. His desire to return to the Upper Peninsula brought him back to attend college at Northern Michigan University under the GI bill. Bob received degrees from Northern Michigan University and the University of Michigan. On June 26, 1948, he married the former Shirley Johnson in Norway. Bob began his teaching career in Troy, Mich. and then Channing High School where he also coached varsity boys basketball. He continued his teaching career at Iron Mountain Central Junior High and Iron Mountain High School where he also coached varsity boys basketball. He was named principal at Central Junior High School (K-8). While at Iron Mountain Schools, Bob was director of Camp Sanford and was awarded the Peter Trudell Conservation Education Award. He was instrumental in the planting and maintenance of the Iron Mountain school forest on Pine Mountain Road. Bob retired with 37 years of dedicated service to educating children. Bob enjoyed hunting, fishing, going to camp with his brothers and spending time with his family, especially his five grandsons. Bob is survived by his wife, Shirley; daughters, Susan (Wayne) Backlund of Marshall, Mich. and Spread Eagle, Wis., Kristine Deckett of Tawas City, Mich. and Joan (Larry) Swartout of Iron Mountain; brothers, Floyd "Cracker" (Dorothy) Menghini of Loretto, Clarence "Tony" (Marge) Menghini of Kingsford and Wallace "Doc" (Gwen) Menghini of Kingsford; a sister-in-law, Norma Zemek of Eagan, Minn.; grandsons, Robert Backlund of Jackson, Wyo., David Deckett of Tawas City and Thomas, Alex and Andrew Swartout of Iron Mountain; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Ernest "Boots" Menghini, Rudolph "Dolpho" Menghini, Herman "Mono" Menghini and August "Jake" Menghini and a sister, Ann Zeni. Private family services were held. Memorials in his memory can be sent to W9240 Beverly St., Iron Mountain, Mich. 49801. Condolences may be expressed to the family of Robert Menghini online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Erickson-Rochon and Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain.

Robert Menghini

November 5, 1925 - November 5, 2007