Robert Mann

Robert (Bob) A. Mann, 91, Aurora, Colorado, and formerly of Michigan City, died Monday, July 20, 2009 in Colorado. He was born December 31, 1917 in Des Moines, Iowa, the son of Edward and Helen (Hubertz) Mann. On March 21, 1944, he married Dorothy Ofcharchak. Bob was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Edward Mann. His wife, Dorothy, preceded him in death on February 18, 1990. He worked at Bendix Corporation in South Bend before moving to Colorado. He retired from Rockwell Corporation, Rocky Flats, CO, in 1981. He spent his career working in the aerospace and defense industry as a design engineer. His is survived by son, David E. (Sandra) Mann Laporte, Indiana; daughter, Nancy L. Mann and son-in-law Richard Waterman, Aurora, Colorado; and granddaughter Anna L. (Bruce) Hammond, Aurora, Illinois, and sister-in-law, Maryann Cordray, Michigan City, and numerous nieces and nephews. Bob was a life-long activist for the National Lakeshore. He served as an officer (president & vice president) of the Saves the Dunes Council. He was instrumental in lobbying Congress and attended hearings in Washington to have the dunes in Indiana designated as a National Park. When Secretary of the Interior, Stewart Udall, visited Indiana, Bob was his personal guide while hiking through the dunes. Bob served as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy during World War II from Nov. 11, 1942 to June 17, 1947. As a naval aviator, he flew several types of aircraft, including PBY & PBM flying boats, known as Catalina’s. He was also a flight instructor and taught ground school classes in celestial navigation. After the war ended, he flew out of the Glenview Naval Air Station, Illinois, as a naval reserve officer until June 17, 1959. Bob was an avid skier all of his life. He was a ski instructor in the 1980’s and 199’s at the Eldora Ski Area, Colorado. He continued to ski well into his 80’s. Cremation has taken place. A memorial Mass will be held at St. Ann of the Dunes Church on Saturday, August 29, 2009 at 11:00 am. Donations may be made to the Save the Dunes Council, 444 Barker Road, Michigan City, Indiana 46360.