Robert F. Manchesky

Robert F. Manchesky was creative and curious, fascinated with the beauty of flight and the incredible heights that human imagination could reach. He had an optimistic outlook and chose to focus on life's possibilities rather than its challenges. He enjoyed helping others and volunteered much of his time to the advancement of the arts in his community. He loved his family and wanted the very best for them. In 1889, Robert Manschesky Sr. came from Germany with his first wife, Mary Wilke, and they had Dorothy and Roland. Mary died in childbirth five years after Roland was born. In 1915, Robert Sr. then married Martha Padelt and they had Robert F. Manchesky in 1919. The Mancscheskys spoke German in their home and Robert did not learn English until he started attending Muskegon Public Schools. Robert's family was involved in their church and in fact his father was instrumental in the building of St. Johns Evangelical Lutheran Church on Pine Street. He also donated the bell tower, the last touch needed for the completion of the building. The family lived at 132 East Delaware and shared a back lot line with the church. As a young boy, Bob developed an interest in airplanes and began building model planes. He continued building models into adulthood and completed some with five-foot wingspans that he flew near Lake Michigan. While a student in Muskegon, he exercised his creativity and initiative by publishing a neighborhood newspaper called Knothole News, funded by advertisements he garnered from entrepreneurs along Pine Street and Terrace Street. After graduating from Muskegon High School, Bob packed his belongings into his maroon 1936 Dodge that he had received as a graduation gift and headed off to the University of St. Louis, home of Parks Air College. Parks was a premier instructional facility in the rapidly evolving field of aviation and had drawn national recognition for the quality of its education and facilities. Bob graduated with the class of 1941 with a degree in Aeronautical Engineering and immediately headed for California, the hub of the emerging aircraft industry. In December of that year, the U.S. Naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, was attacked by Japan, and Bob joined the nation in praying for the safety of friends and loved ones and for a quick end to the conflict. In 1944, he was numbered among the many who were drafted into the U.S. Army. He served in France and Germany during some of the fiercest fighting of the war. He was discharged as a Staff Sergeant in 1946, grateful to return home safe and sound. A few days after his return, he married a lovely lady named Elaine Farnquist. They established their home in Glendale, California, and were delighted when their son Dan was born. Eventually, they decided to return to Muskegon and Bob found a job as Assistant Chief Engineer at Westran Corporation. In the 1980s, Bob and Elaine bought a nice piece of property near Lake Michigan. Bob took on the daunting task of building a pole barn all by himself and was proud of his accomplishment when it was finished. He was an avid golfer and made several holes in one during his younger years. Bob appreciated the creativity and freedom that could only be found in the arts. After retirement, he enjoyed working at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp where he helped with the Playhouse in Whitehall, which was close to his home. He felt privileged to meet the celebrities who came to the camp every summer and was grateful for their visits to inspire the campers and local artists. Bob himself dabbled in the arts and had taken a few art courses over the years. In later years, one of his paintings went on a tour of Michigan with a group that was sent out from handicapped Alzheimers and Dementia patients from assisted Living places, and Bob was going to DayBreak. He looked for ways to express himself through painting. Even as Bob's physical health deteriorated, he continued to maintain a positive outlook on life and sought to nourish his relationship with God by faithfully watching the television ministry of the Crystal Cathedral as well as local pastors Terry Fulk and Jerry DePoy. He leaves for his loved ones the example of a man who worked hard to provide for his family, who appreciated the simple things in life, and who gave of himself for the sake of others. He will be missed. Bob died Tuesday, March 14, 2006. He is survived by his wife, Elaine; his son, R. Daniel Manchesky; grandson, Jason Daniel (Abby) Manchesky; great grandson, Jack of Grand Rapids; eight nephews, Allen (Mary) Manschesky of Pentwater, Kenneth Manschesky of Muskegon, Russell Farnquist, Lyle (Shirley) Farnquist, William (Jackie) Farnquist of Muskegon, Donald (Mary) Farnquist of Muskegon, Jack (Betty) Farnquist of Pennsylvania and Ronald (Sue) Farnquist of Grand Haven; and one niece, Cheryl Manschesky of Warren. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Roland (Gladys) Manschesky, and his sister, Dorothy (William) Farnquist. A memorial service will be held Friday, March 17, 2006, at 11:00 a.m. at the Clock Funeral Home with Pastor Terry Fulk officiating. Visitation will be in the Clock family center following the service.