Robert (Bob) Mantel of Rochester Michigan passed away June 3, 2020 at the age of 92. Bob died peacefully with his beloved wife Margaret of 67 years by his side.Bob was born in Detroit, Michigan on June 29, 1927 to father Paul and mother Elizabeth and was the youngest of three children.
At the age of 17, Bob left high school early and enlisted into the US Navy where he spent the next two years serving his country during WWII aboard the USS Bell. At the end of the war, Bob moved to New York to study photography. After completing his studies, Bob moved back to Detroit and took a job with Chrysler Missile Division where he was head of the photography & publications department. He worked on several space programs most notably the Mercury-Redstone and Jupiter Rockets. He later retired from General Dynamics Land Systems Division in 1992. One of Bob’s lifelong hobbies was collecting and restoring antique cars. Over the years his collection included several cars. Among his favorites, was his 1934 Chrysler Airflow, which was the featured car at the 2001 Concours d’Elegance car show at Meadow Brook Hall in Rochester, Michigan. Bob was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. Family always came first. He loved country music and line dancing. If there was music on, Bob and his wife Marge were the first ones up and the last ones to sit down. He loved spending time with family and friends and his many car clubs. Bob was always ready to tell a good joke and has been known to enjoy a cold Budweiser. Bob is preceded in death by his parents Paul and Elizabeth, his sister Dorothy, brother Russell and grandson Derek. He is survived by his wife Margaret, children Debbie Wynkoop (Randy), Karen Skorski , Paul (Lisa); grandchildren, Ronald (Kristen), Jamie, Justin (Britney), Steven (Jen), Kevin, Rachel; great grandchildren Ava, Lana and Parker. A private funeral service will be held by the immediate family on Monday June 8th. A celebration of life will be planned for the extended family and friends at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in honor of Bob Mantel to the American Heart Association or St Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
