Robert Mertaugh

Robert David "Bob" Mertaugh, 84, a lifelong resident of Hessel, Michigan, died July 15, 2014, from complications of pneumonia. Bob was born April 14, 1930, in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, to the late E. J. "Gene" Mertaugh and Helen Catherine (Bailey) Mertaugh. He attended the Hessel School, Cedarville School and graduated from St. Francis Preparatory School in Spring Grove, Pennsylvania. He also attended Western Michigan University. In 1952, he drove Route 66 to California where he reported for duty in the United States Marine Corps. Bob served his country in the Korean War and was stationed in Korea and Itami, Japan, doing aviation ground control approach. The family business, E.J. Mertaugh Boat Works was established in Hessel in 1925. In 1926, Chris Craft awarded Gene Mertaugh the first boat dealer franchise and the era of wooden boats in the Les Cheneaux Islands was launched. Bob, along with his brothers Jack and Jim worked together with their father in the burgeoning family business. Bob would go on to work at Broward Marine in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and finished his career sailing the Great Lakes for the Reiss Shipping Line. Bob retired and lived an exceptional life, embracing the woods and water, of the Mertaugh family property along Point Brulee and Search Bay in Hessel. Bob was known for his keen memory. Many of his recollections were of Hessel and the adventures he experienced as a young boy, racing boats in the summer and running his dog team across the frozen lake in the winter. He recently told his niece, Kerri, the dog team he shared with her father, Jack would eventually be used by the US Postal Service to deliver mail on Whitefish Point along Lake Superior. He also told many stories of his father, Gene's adventures delivering Chris Craft boats (solo) up Lake Huron from Algonac to the Les Cheneaux Islands. The memories and stories he shared through the years will be cherished. Bob will be remembered for his quiet strength, sense of humor, thoughtfulness and wisdom. He will be remembered for the 10 point buck he fed from his hand, affectionately named "Bucky". He will also be remembered as an avid Detroit Tigers baseball fan, who with great detail, could recite factual knowledge of players, both past and present. Bob was preceded in death by his sister, Frances Ann (Mertaugh) Dewick, his brother, John J. "Jack" Mertaugh, a sister-in-law, Ella May "Elly" Mertaugh and nephew, Tommy Mertaugh. He is survived by his brother, E. James "Jim" Mertaugh of Hessel; nieces and nephews, Tim DeWick of Hessel, Brian (Liz) DeWick of St. Ignace, Maeve (DeWick) Fitzgerald of Kincheloe, Missy DeWick of Hessel, Kerri Mertaugh of Old Lyme, Connecticut, Margo Mertaugh of Denver, Colorado, Dan Mertaugh of Cedarville, Amy (Mark) Mertaugh Izzard of Cedarville and Erin Mertaugh of Garden City; great-nieces and nephew, Bridget (Fitzgerald) Terwilliger, Brendan Fitzgerald Caroline DeWick and Megan (Mertaugh) Ramsey; sister-in-law, Patricia (Bailey) Mertaugh Duncan; a dear friend, Marcie Waggoner. A private graveside service will be held at Cedar Cemetery, Thursday, August 7, 2014 with the Rev. Fr. Janusz Romanek of Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Church, Hessel officiating. Interment will follow. Arrangements are in care of Dodson Funeral Home, St. Ignace.

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Robert Mertaugh

July 15, 2014