Robert William Wesch

Robert W. "Bob" Wesch, 89, of Iron Mountain, passed away on Saturday, March 28, 2015 at ManorCare Health Services in Kingsford. Bob was born August 6, 1925 in Brookfield, IL, son of the late George and Irma (Baumman) Wesch. He graduated from Riverside Brookfield in 1943. After graduation Bob joined the U.S. Coast Guard as a sonar operator. He was discharged in 1946 and located himself to Brainerd, MN. He found employment at Benson Optical where he met his wife to be, Drusilla Mae Forsberg. They were married at her family home on October 8, 1949. Bob worked at the Hannah Mining Co. in Crosby, MN as a draftsman and was transferred to this area in 1962 working at the Groveland Mine in the geology dept. until his retirement in 1980. He was a very talented craftsman and built several homes over the years, the first being the family cabin in Merrifield, MN which is still used and loved by the family. Bob enjoyed the out-of-doors, fishing, canoeing, downhill skiing, which he was proud to say he did until age 74, and in his later years wood carving. Bob could often be found reading, westerns being his favorite. Robert is survived by a son, Scott (Sue) Wesch of Red Wing, MN; a daughter, Sue (David) Paternoster of Kingsford; four grandchildren, Mike (Sarah) Paternoster of Marquette, Dan (Jaime) Paternoster of Iron Mountain, Allison Wesch and Jennisue (John) Benjamin, both of Red Wing, MN; three great grandchildren, Halle, Samantha and Addison; two sisters-in-law, Jean Burch of Seattle, WA and Vivian Forsberg of St. Paul, MN; a brother-in-law, Ted Dreher of AR; and several nieces and nephews. Robert was preceded in death by his wife, Drusilla; a sister, Jan Dreher; three brothers-in-law, Harold and John Forsberg and Reed Burch. Visitation will be held on Monday from 11:00am to 12:00pm at the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home in Iron Mountain. A memorial service will follow at 12:00pm at the funeral home. Rev. Geri Hamlin will officiate. A luncheon will be served in the fellowship hall in the lower level of Trinity United Methodist Church after the services. There will be a private family interment in Brainerd, MN at a later date. Condolences may be expressed to the family of Robert W. Wesch online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com. The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home in Iron Mountain with the arrangements.

Robert William Wesch

August 6, 1925 - March 28, 2015