Robert E. Manninen

INVERNESS, Fla. - Robert E. Manninen, 75, passed away peacefully March 28, 2019, at his retirement home in Inverness, after a lengthy hospital stay. He was surrounded by his family and loved ones.

Bob was born on April 1, 1943, in Ontonagon, Mich., to Willho and Ann Manninen of Ewen, Mich. After graduating from Ewen High School in 1961, he attended Northern Michigan University. He served our country in the Air Force, then settled in Fresno and worked with the California Air National Guard.

He was a beloved, loving father and an entrepreneur who loved family, cars, boats and life. After retirement, he and his wife, Judy, traveled the U.S., settling in Florida.

Bob is survived by his son Mike (Sara) Manninen, of Hawaii; two stepchildren and their mother, Judy, of California; siblings, Gerry (Rita) Manninen, of Minneapolis, Pat (Bob) Franti, of Bruce Crossing, Mich., and Carol (Bryan) Besonen, of Trout Creek, Mich .; and numerous nephews and their families.

After cremation, ashes will be placed in a Florida veterans cemetery.

A celebration of Bob's life will be held this summer at Bond Falls, Mich., where he made lasting memories.