1933
Robert
2024
Robert J. Hughes, Sr.
August 11, 1933 — March 20, 2024
Grand Marais
Grand Marais
Robert James Hughes, Sr., age 90, of Grand Marais, Michigan, passed away at his home, in the loving care of his wife, Nancy, on March 20, 2024.
Bob was born in Owosso, Michigan on August 11, 1933, to John Henry and Dora (Preston) Hughes, Jr. He attended Owosso area schools, graduating in 1951. Shortly after graduation, he enlisted in the United States Coast Guard, serving for 30 years as an Engineer on buoy tenders and ice breakers, achieving the rank of Warrant Officer 4 (CWO40). During his time in the service, Bob served at Station’s Grand Marais, Marquette, Munising, Cheboygan, Traverse City, and Grand Haven, Michigan, including numerous other stations stretching from Texas to Massachusetts along with deployments to Vietnam and Japan. His last duty assignment, before retirement in 1982, was in the Marine Safety Office, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota. Bob received an Associates degree in General Studies from Southwestern Community College.
Bob enjoyed telling stories of his time serving on his favorite ships, the USCGC Woodbine, USCGC Mackinaw, and duty at the Poe Reef Lighthouse.
During his service he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal with 1 bronze star, multiple Good Conduct Awards, Coast Guard Expert Pistol Medal, Coast Guards Unit Commendation with Meritorious Unit Commendation, Vietnam Service Medal with 1 bronze star, Meritorious Unit Citation Armed Forces, Meritorious Unit Citation (Gallantry Cross), and Cuttermans Insignia.
Following his military retirement, Bob worked for Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection and Insurance Company as an International Engineering Representative in Hiroshima, Japan. After 10 years, he moved back to the states, residing in Lynnwood, Washington and then returning to Michigan. A highlight, upon moving back to Michigan, was a visit to the retired USCGC Mackinaw where he was afforded the opportunity to provide a private tour to family and reminisce about his time on the ice breaker.
Bob met Nancy Weston in 2009, on a visit to Grand Marais, and shortly afterwards, they were married and made their home together there.
Everyone who knew Bob knew how much he loved going out on the trails with Nancy and their dogs Freckles, and later Hugo, in their side-by-side. He greatly enjoyed music, played the flute, and in his later years, took up the banjo. He loved Japanese culture and cuisine, sailing, shooting, and had a reputation for his model building; particularly gas engine model airplanes.
He attended the Grand Marais Mennonite Church for many years, was a member of the Chief Warrant and Warrant Officers Association, and was involved with the local CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) in Grand Marais.
Bob is survived by his wife, Nancy, of 13 years. Children: Vicky (Jeff) Heacox - Hedgesville, W.V. ; Robert (Patti) Hughes - Grand Marais, MI.; Ken (Sheryl) Hughes - Richfield, WI. ; Step- Children, Kevin (Laura) Weston - Dearborn, MI. ; Karen Gonzales – Willcox, AZ.; and J. Scott (Debbie) McGruther - Trenton, MI. Grand Children : R. Jason (Erin) Hughes – Shepherd, MI. ; Naomi (Johan) Lopez – Martinsburg, W.V., ; Jessica Spooner – Martinsburg, W.V. ; Geoffrey (Jeomar Montelon) Heacox – Chicago, Ill. ; Shaun (Erica) Hughes - Munising, MI.; Erin Moore – Brimley, MI.; Ryan (Katia) Hughes – Rudyard, MI.; Katharina (Jimmy) Kim – Stoughton, WI.; Matthew (Emily) Hughes – Brookfield, WI.; John Hughes – Richfield, WI.; Andrew (Ashley) Hughes – Stoughton, WI. Great Grand Children: Patrick (Cheyenne) Hughes – Farwell, MI.; Gabriel Hughes – Clare, MI.; Alexis Hughes – Shepherd, MI.; Denali Castleman, Sawyer Castleman , Keenan Castleman – Martinsburg, W.V.; Trevar Spooner – Hedgesville, W.V.; Andre Hart, Aubrey Hughes, Allie Hughes, Aiva Hughes – Munising, MI.; Joy Moore, James Moore, Jonathan Moore – Brimley, MI.; Laurel Hughes, Andrik Hughes – Rudyard, MI.; Clarissa Kim, Anneliese Kim – Stoughton, WI.; Finneas Hughes, Adalaide Hughes – Brookfield, WI.; Emma Ochoa, Madelyn Erickson - Stoughton, WI.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Dora Hughes, sister, Dorothy Riley, and Great Granddaughter, Aubrey See.
Bob will be laid to rest in Grand Marais in a private family celebration of life later this summer.
The family wishes to thank all of those who have expressed love and kindness to Bob over the years.
Robert James Hughes, Sr., age 90, of Grand Marais, Michigan, passed away at his home, in the loving care of his wife, Nancy, on March 20, 2024.
Bob was born in Owosso, Michigan on August 11, 1933, to John Henry and Dora (Preston) Hughes, Jr. He attended Owosso area schools, graduating in 1951. Shortly after graduation, he enlisted in the United States Coast Guard, serving for 30 years as an Engineer on buoy tenders and ice breakers, achieving the rank of Warrant Officer 4 (CWO40). During his time in the service, Bob served at Station’s Grand Marais, Marquette, Munising, Cheboygan, Traverse City, and Grand Haven, Michigan, including numerous other stations stretching from Texas to Massachusetts along with deployments to Vietnam and Japan. His last duty assignment, before retirement in 1982, was in the Marine Safety Office, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota. Bob received an Associates degree in General Studies from Southwestern Community College.
Bob enjoyed telling stories of his time serving on his favorite ships, the USCGC Woodbine, USCGC Mackinaw, and duty at the Poe Reef Lighthouse.
During his service he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal with 1 bronze star, multiple Good Conduct Awards, Coast Guard Expert Pistol Medal, Coast Guards Unit Commendation with Meritorious Unit Commendation, Vietnam Service Medal with 1 bronze star, Meritorious Unit Citation Armed Forces, Meritorious Unit Citation (Gallantry Cross), and Cuttermans Insignia.
Following his military retirement, Bob worked for Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection and Insurance Company as an International Engineering Representative in Hiroshima, Japan. After 10 years, he moved back to the states, residing in Lynnwood, Washington and then returning to Michigan. A highlight, upon moving back to Michigan, was a visit to the retired USCGC Mackinaw where he was afforded the opportunity to provide a private tour to family and reminisce about his time on the ice breaker.
Bob met Nancy Weston in 2009, on a visit to Grand Marais, and shortly afterwards, they were married and made their home together there.
Everyone who knew Bob knew how much he loved going out on the trails with Nancy and their dogs Freckles, and later Hugo, in their side-by-side. He greatly enjoyed music, played the flute, and in his later years, took up the banjo. He loved Japanese culture and cuisine, sailing, shooting, and had a reputation for his model building; particularly gas engine model airplanes.
He attended the Grand Marais Mennonite Church for many years, was a member of the Chief Warrant and Warrant Officers Association, and was involved with the local CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) in Grand Marais.
Bob is survived by his wife, Nancy, of 13 years. Children: Vicky (Jeff) Heacox - Hedgesville, W.V. ; Robert (Patti) Hughes - Grand Marais, MI.; Ken (Sheryl) Hughes - Richfield, WI. ; Step- Children, Kevin (Laura) Weston - Dearborn, MI. ; Karen Gonzales – Willcox, AZ.; and J. Scott (Debbie) McGruther - Trenton, MI. Grand Children : R. Jason (Erin) Hughes – Shepherd, MI. ; Naomi (Johan) Lopez – Martinsburg, W.V., ; Jessica Spooner – Martinsburg, W.V. ; Geoffrey (Jeomar Montelon) Heacox – Chicago, Ill. ; Shaun (Erica) Hughes - Munising, MI.; Erin Moore – Brimley, MI.; Ryan (Katia) Hughes – Rudyard, MI.; Katharina (Jimmy) Kim – Stoughton, WI.; Matthew (Emily) Hughes – Brookfield, WI.; John Hughes – Richfield, WI.; Andrew (Ashley) Hughes – Stoughton, WI. Great Grand Children: Patrick (Cheyenne) Hughes – Farwell, MI.; Gabriel Hughes – Clare, MI.; Alexis Hughes – Shepherd, MI.; Denali Castleman, Sawyer Castleman , Keenan Castleman – Martinsburg, W.V.; Trevar Spooner – Hedgesville, W.V.; Andre Hart, Aubrey Hughes, Allie Hughes, Aiva Hughes – Munising, MI.; Joy Moore, James Moore, Jonathan Moore – Brimley, MI.; Laurel Hughes, Andrik Hughes – Rudyard, MI.; Clarissa Kim, Anneliese Kim – Stoughton, WI.; Finneas Hughes, Adalaide Hughes – Brookfield, WI.; Emma Ochoa, Madelyn Erickson - Stoughton, WI.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Dora Hughes, sister, Dorothy Riley, and Great Granddaughter, Aubrey See.
Bob will be laid to rest in Grand Marais in a private family celebration of life later this summer.
The family wishes to thank all of those who have expressed love and kindness to Bob over the years.
To order memorial trees in memory of Robert J. Hughes, Sr., please visit our tree store.
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