Obituary of Robert Hennis

Robert "Bob" Hennis, Sr., 83, of Hermantown, Minn. passed away on Friday, June 24, 2016 at St. Luke's Hospital Hospice. He was born June 25, 1932 in Madelia, Minn. He graduated from Madelia High School in 1951. He attended the University of Minnesota, then entered the U.S. Army in 1952, serving with the 1st Nike Unit at Fort Bliss, Texas. He was discharged in 1954 and graduated from Mankato State in 1958. Bob was employed by the City of Duluth in CETA and Federal Program at UMD and St. Scholastica. He served as Ad Hoc Comm. at Rutgers University on teenage drugs and alcohol and attended the University of Utah. Bob coached Junior League Football and was active in the Duluth Hockey Association, Glen Avon Rink, and trained coaches for Little League. He received an internship to New York University and was awarded the National Youth Sports, John Wooden Award for coaching. Bob served as the Associate Director of Parks and Recreation of Duluth until his retirement in 1990. He spent winters in Port Aransas, Texas where he enjoyed fishing, walking the beach, playing cards and dominoes, and coffee time with friends. Bob loved being with his sons, was so proud of his grandchildren and loved being a great-grandpa! He loved being at the cabin, fishing or just sitting quietly watching the water. He was preceded in death by his mother, and a brother, Harold. Bob is survived by his wife Phyllis; sons Robert, Jr. (Deb), William, and Bradley (Karen Erickson); grandchildren Dr. Ryann (Dr. Joe) Signorelli, Danielle (Matt) Lucia, Colten Hennis and Jonah Hennis; great-grandchildren Trajan Signorelli and Levi Lucia; Wendy Jukich, still so much a part of our family; a brother and two sisters; and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. Memorials are preferred to the Lake Superior Zoo in lieu of flowers. GATHERING OF FAMILY AND FRIENDS: 9 a.m. until the 10 a.m. service on Wednesday, June 29 in the Cremation Society of Minnesota Chapel, 4100 Grand Ave., 218-624-5200.