RIP Captain Bob Derleth, 90

  From the U-M Bentley Library, left hockey captain Derleth from ‘44, and right seated next to Fritz Crisler in the ‘46 football team photo

Thanks to reader TM for passing this along:

Robert "Bob" Derleth

Age 90, passed away December 16 at Hospice House of Mid-Michigan in Lansing due to complications from a stroke. Bob was born and raised in Marquette, Michigan and graduated from Bishop Baraga High School in 1941.  He graduated from the University of Michigan in 1947 with degrees in chemical and metallurgical engineering.  Bob won six varsity letters as a member of Michigan’s football (’42, ’43, ’45 and ’46) and hockey (’43 and ’44) teams, and was captain of the 1944 hockey team.

During World War II, he served on active duty as an Aviation Cadet in the U.S. Navy (1944-1945), and played football for the Iowa Seahawks Navy pre-flight team in 1944.  Bob was President of Motor Wheel Corporation from 1967-1979.  He was actively involved with many community and charitable organizations in Lansing, including the Executive Board of the Boy Scouts of America, the Board of Trustees of the Citizens Research Council of Michigan, The Board of Directors of the United Community Chest, the Advisory Board of St. Lawrence Hospital, the Board of Directors of the Greater Lansing Urban League, President of Junior Achievement, and a member of the Chamber of Commerce of Greater Lansing.  In addition, He was Trustee of the Northern Michigan University Development Fund.  Bob also served as President of his beloved Middle Island Point Campers Association in Marquette, Michigan.

Full obituary here

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