Robert T. Manlove

Age 80, passed away Monday, August 18, 2003 at the Appleton Medical Center. Bob was born March 28, 1923 in Newark, New Jersey, son of the late Roy and Emma (Kraeuter) Manlove. After graduating from high school in Asbury Park, New Jersey, he attended Princeton University and the University of Minnesota. His college years were interrupted by his military service as a Quartermaster in the United States Navy during World War II. On May 28, 1948, he married Shirley DeFreece in St. Paul, Minnesota. They spent forty-four wonderful years together before her death in 1992. As a designer and salesman of data processing forms for Standard Register Company, Bob and his family lived in Freeport, Illinois for ten years before moving to Appleton in 1959. Bob spent the winter months at Imperial Wilderness in Naples, Florida for the past fifteen years.

Bob was actively involved in the community, both in Appleton and in Florida. He was a member of First United Methodist Church in Appleton as well as SME, Stardusters Dance Club, Foolish Pretenders, FISH, and Rainbows. He acted in many Attic Theatre productions and served as a House Manager for over thirty-five years, demonstrating an interest in theater that he passed on to his grandchildren whose many dramatic productions he proudly attended. Bob loved to play bridge and was a member of several local card clubs. He spent countless hours volunteering at Naples Community Hospital and the Appleton Medical Center until the week of his death. He considered the hospital staff he volunteered with at AMC to be his “second family” and he treasured the hours spent with them. Bob was an avid sports fan of the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Cubs. He was devoted to friends and family and he loved spending many summers at the family cottage on Berry Lake, playing games, doing puzzles, or just sharing stories with those he loved.

Bob is survived by his three children: Chris (Dave) Hartman of Appleton; Cindy Manlove of Greendale; and Jeff Manlove Twin Lakes; and an AFS daughter Rohini Ameresekere Senaratne of Sri Lanka. He was extremely proud of his grandchildren: Brian and Megan Hartman, Gregory and Dean Manlove, and Vanessa, Olivia, and Victoria Manlove; two step-grandsons: Steve Hartman and Mark (Leigh Anne) Hartman. He is further survived by a sister: Hazel (Jack) Reimers of Denville, New Jersey and a sister-in-law: Pauline (Paul) Gibson of Falmouth, Virginia; a close friend: Joyce Lynch of Naples, Florida, and by many devoted nieces and nephews in Minnesota, Virginia, and New Jersey. He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife Shirley in 1992.

Memorial services for Bob will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, August 22, 2003 at First United Methodist Church, corner of Drew and Franklin Streets in Appleton with Rev. Jane Voigts officiating. Friends may call at the Wichmann Funeral Home, 537 N. Superior Street in Appleton on Thursday from 4 – 8 PM and again Friday at the church following the services. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in Bob’s name.

The family would like to offer special thanks to the many friends who have supported Dad through the years, the caring ICU staff at the Appleton Medical Center, and the many talented doctors who worked with Bob and made possible the extra years of his life for all to enjoy.

Bob will long be remembered as a true gentleman with endless energy, an infectious enthusiasm, and a great sense of humor. His courage and determination in facing many illnesses remain an inspiration to those who knew him.

“A man’s legacy is not a beautiful house, wealth, or other worldly goods. It is found in how he lived his life, the children he raised, the lives he touched, and the promises he kept.”