Robert Melvin Sr.

Honesty was of great importance to Robert Melvin. Although a very private man, he was hardworking and intelligent, and maybe just a little stubborn by some accounts. Above all, Robert loved his family and found joy fishing to his heart's content. He leaves much to be remembered by those who knew and loved him, and will be dearly missed.

The year 1928 was an exciting time in our nation’s history. The Roaring Twenties redefined the culture of America, and the discovery of Penicillin forever changed the field of medicine. Although the U.S. was on the brink of the Great Depression, a most welcome event in the lives of James B. and Charlotte (Fritz) Melvin was the December 4, 1928 birth of their son, Robert.

Born in the northeastern community of Wooster, Ohio, Robert was the second of three children in the Melvin household. He joined his older sister, Joan, and later welcomed younger brother, James. When life became a struggle during the onset of the Great Depression, Robert's father left Ohio and traveled to the state of Michigan in search of work. Once he found a job with Sutherland Paper, the rest of the Melvin family followed. They settled in the town of Comstock, Michigan when Robert was merely 18 months old and began a new life, despite the troubling times.

From early on, Robert developed a love for hunting and fishing that remained with him throughout his life. He also loved baseball and football as a child, and faithfully followed his favorite teams for the rest of his days. Robert had a penchant for race cars, and once even tried to drive in a race, but being underage, his parents would not allow him to do so. While attending Comstock High School, Robert played on the school football team. Like many young men during World War II, Robert desperately wanted to defend the country. Able to lie about his age, he left his schooling behind to join the U.S. Navy.

While in the Navy, Bob was stationed in Hawaii and served as a lifeguard on the Marshall Islands before being transferred to Guam where he worked as a diesel mechanic. There he worked on trucks and submarine motors. During this time, the military tested many bombs, including the first atomic bomb. Upon his honorable discharge, Bob headed back home to Michigan a new man, and began picking up the pieces of the life he became accustomed to missing.

Bob soon began working at Sutherland Papermill along with his father. One fateful day, he was in the stands as a spectator at a company baseball game and met a pretty young woman named Helen Rose Hragyil, who he discovered was one of his co-workers. They soon began dating and fell deeply in love. On June 24, 1950, Bob and Helen were united in marriage and set out to begin a new life on their own.

Bob and Helen shared the joy of three sons, Jerry, Robert, and David. Although a strict father, Bob was just as loving and caring. He was involved in the lives of his sons, and supported them in Boy Scouts, and throughout many seasons of baseball and football. He served as a coach on the boys little leagues, and enjoyed taking their football teams to the movies. They shared special times, too, mushroom hunting in Mesick, Michigan. Snowmobiling and fun times camping were also enjoyed as a family. Most importantly, Bob taught his sons the value of hard work and honesty. After raising three fine sons, Bob also came to love his seven grandchildren and in time, eight great-grandchildren.

Bob retired from the James River Company in 1990 after 44 years as a valued employee. During this time, he was also the Schoolcraft fire department's fire chief, and worked for the fire department for 14 years, in all. He provided a good, stable life for his family and loved serving his community. Bob did, however, find time for a little rest and relaxation, too. His favorite place on earth was fishing on Sugarloaf Lake. With a motto like, "an organized fisherman is a successful fisherman", one can only imagine what his favorite pastime was! He especially enjoyed going out on Lake Michigan, most likely fishing, on his 25 foot boat.

In many respects, Bob was a very private individual. He was highly intelligent, and his organizational skills weren't just for fishing. Robert kept journals on fishing, as well as the weather, reports from his police scanner, and the medicines he took. Talking on his CB radio also filled Robert's time, and in later years he enjoyed following Tigers baseball and Lions football.

At the age of 84, Robert J. Melvin, Sr. of Schoolcraft passed away on Saturday, May 4, 2013. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Helen; three children: Jerry (Janet) Melvin, of Eastpointe; Robert (Judy) Melvin, of Portage; David (Linda Walsh) Melvin, of Schoolcraft; seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Charlotte Melvin; sister, Joan Wallace; and brother, James Melvin.

Bob's family will receive friends Wednesday, May 8, 2013 from 4-7 PM at the Life Story Funeral Home, 409 S. Main, Vicksburg (269-649-1697). The funeral service will be held Thursday, May 9, 2013, 11:00 AM at St. Martin Catholic Church. Burial in Schoolcraft Cemetery with military honors. Please visit Bob’s webpage at www.lifestorynet.com where you can leave a memory and sign his online guest book. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to a VFW of your choice and/or to the South County Fire Department.