Robert Melenich

Robert W. (Bob) Melenich, 84, of Baxter, died Friday, July 26, 2013 at Essentia Health - St. Joseph's Medical Center in Brainerd. There will not be any service or viewing, per Bob's wishes. Please send any memorials to a Cancer or Heart fund or visit www.brenny.com to leave a message of comfort and support for Bob's family.

Bob was born May 6, 1929 to Grace (Chambers) and Mike Melenich in Crosby, MN. Bob graduated from Crosby-Ironton High School in 1947 and attended Crosby-Ironton Junior College from 1947-48. He also attended Carleton College in Northfield from 1948-49. He enlisted in the Air Force, but was delayed admittance until a class was open. He enrolled at Brainerd Junior College while waiting. He was admitted in the regular Air Force until the Spring of 1951 when a flight school class was open. He was stationed at Molden Air Force Base in Molden, MO. He was discharged from the Air Force in 1952. He enrolled at Saint Cloud State University in the Fall of 1952 and graduated in the spring of 1954. On November 28, 1953 Bob married his grade school sweetheart Jean Bedard. They would have celebrated their 60th year of marriage this November. They have two children, Nancy and Mike. Bob began his teaching career at Norwood Young America public schools. He taught Physical Education and Health and was the high school's Basketball Coach 1954-1960. He continued his teaching and coaching at Minnetonka Public School in 1962. He retired from Minnetonka Public Schools in 1987 and built his retirement home in Northern Minnesota on Hay Lake. Bob was commander of the Ironton American Legion for two and a half years. They sold their home on Hay Lake and moved to Baxter, MN in 2003.

Bob is survived by wife Jean, brother, Bruce (Janelle), Mound, MN, daughter Nancy (Dennis) David, Coon Rapids, MN, son Mike (Michelle), Deerwood, MN, grandchildren Justin (Katie), Johnathon, Brandon, Mariah, and Britni, great-grandchildren Bo and Ty, and many nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death are his parents Mike and Grace Melenich.