Robert Manke, age 74, of Cambridge died October 15, 2015 at home. A memorial service will be held at 4:00 P.M. Tuesday, October 20th at Cambridge Lutheran Church. A memorial visitation will be held from 4:00 -7:00 P.M. Monday, October 19th at Strike Funeral Home – Cambridge Chapel and also one hour prior to the service Tuesday at the church.
Robert George Manke, 74, died on October 15, 2015 at his home on Spectacle Lake. Bob was born in Princeton, Minnesota on March 12, 1941, the only son of George and Freda Manke. His life was marked by two great loves: his wonderful family and Spectacle Lake, where he grew up and lived most of his life.
Bob attended grade school at the Pine Brook Schoolhouse and then graduated from Cambridge High School in 1959. He attended St. Cloud State and graduated with a teacher’s degree in 1964.
On May 25, 1963, Bob married Carol Chalstrom of Dalbo, Minnesota. They resided in Minneapolis where he worked for Phillips 66 Petroleum Company as a sales representative and they had their first son, Jeff. Bob and Carol moved to Grand Forks, North Dakota, where Bob became a district manager for Phillips 66. While in Grand Forks, they had their second son, Shawn.
In 1969, the family moved from Grand Forks to their present location on Spectacle Lake, where they took over running Manke’s Resort from Bob’s parents. During this time, Bob worked for International Harvester as a sales representative; and then, in 1976, he became a district manager for Melroe Bobcat. In 1979, Bobcat recognized him as Man of the Year for the Melroe Division, and in 1991, he was honored again by Melroe as Advertising Man of the Year for outstanding performance in coordinating advertising programs among Bobcat dealers. He retired from Melroe after 23 years of service in 2000.
Throughout his life he was an avid sportsman and fisherman, enjoying hunting and fishing trips. Bob and Carol also traveled extensively through the United States, Mexico, and Europe with family and friends.
Manke’s Resort was a well-known destination for decades. Bob and Carol made many lifelong friends while running the resort with their family. Bob was a caring man who had a special place in his heart for the kids that helped at the resort and his grandchildren who learned how to socialize and contribute to the family business.
Bob is survived by his son Jeff and his wife Shelly, his son Shawn and his wife Mary, grandchildren Sam, Kalie, Sydney, and Lucas, and his many, many friends. He was so proud of them and their many accomplishments. He will remain in their memories forever.
Bob was preceded in death by his loving wife, Carol, and his parents, George and Freda Manke.
Bob was great person. He was good friend god bless the manke family
Jeff, Shawn and the Manke families,
It is with heavy heart that we learned of Bob’s passing. He was more than a fellow Bobcat employee, but was a dear friend, and we shared many trips, fishing and business that were always a joy with Bob and those memories will remain with a smile always !! May God Bless your families at this difficult time.
Dennis and Sandi Mecklenburg
my family loved all the years that we spent at Mankes Resort. Many special memories of our time at the lake, cabin 6 and the Mankes! You’ll be missed Bob!
When you live at Manke’s for a month each summer as our family did, Bob & Carol held special places in the hearts of all the Peterson kids…When Bob would be home after being on the road, he would chat with my dad and we always got to go to the store for treats from Carol and Freda. So sorry for your loss, Bob will be missed.
Bobs presence was bigger than life itself. No matter what the occasion Bob made the moment better and did his best to make sure everyone was involved and having fun. To this day he calls me Freddie which was apropos as I never grew up when I was at Spectacle lake. There are Good People and there are Great People. Bob and his sons are Great People as evidenced by all the good things they do for the lake community and the people in their lives. Bob will be missed but his memories and the stories will live on for generations to come.
Sorry to hear of your loss. Enjoyed many fishing trips to Lac La Croix and Rainy Lake Ontario Canada..Thou many years ago I will always remember the great times spent with Bob Lyle and Nancy Reimers
Jeff, Shawn and family
So sorry to hear of Bob’s passing. He was a great friend and classmate at CHS. Bob was the class clown and seemed to cross hairs with many teachers. I remember in Ms Lowe’s class in Jr High when Bob got a yard stick cracked over his head and it broke in two. The best memories were of the many summers we girls of the class of 59 spent at the resort on the beach, with Bob hanging out . He and Carol were a great team and did a great job with the resort. May God bless you at this difficult time and know that you had a GREAT DAD and MOM. Sandy Olson
My grandmother ELLEN (.husband Harry O’Brien)is in the nursing home . With very bad ahlzimers….sometimes for a long time..at first when she was in the nursing home she thought she was at Spectacle Lake and she was there with her Mother and father Helen and Frank “Tubby” Burns … (They had been gone for many years). it was always one of her most happiest times in her life time spending time with the Mankes and our Family. We call her Grandma CHA CHA O’Brien she is in her 90s. Her parents would have been well into their hundreds. But i guess it was a pleasant place for her memories to go. She is still alive but her memorie of anything is clearly gone now. Sad
She seen Bob grow up and adored him. Spent many hours talking to Bob…..She continued to bring us there for years.. Bob was always so wonderful to us kids. I will always remember him. So will my brother Ron. My son met him not to long ago and thought he seemed like a very special person. “He really was” I told him. He cared about many people. He liked to bring people together. If you were his friend you were blessed. Although everyone was…I remember Bob even driving down to my Grandpas Funeral. and saying hi. …he knew Harry when he was just very young kid.. I too will always rememberBob with both both his hands on the Candy bar. Makin pizzas. Sneakin my brother and I on the Water Plane..fun… Grandma forgave him for that one… he said” awww come on Ellen!””! THERE NEVER WILL BE ANOTHER BOB….WHEN WE LOOK AT THE BEAUTIFUL LAKE HE CALLED HOME. WE WILL ALways REMEMBER YOU AND ALL THE HAPPY TIMES YOU GAVE US BOB! Suzy
Jeff, Shawn and family.
Since our early days with Bob go back to Phillips 66 we have crossed paths with your family with many fond memories and experiences. We extend our deepest sympathy. He will be missed.
Tom and Linda Trevorrow
Jeff,Shawn and families.
We were saddened to hear of Bob’s passing. I remember the first Bobcat Sales Mtg. That I went to with Ernie, I didn’t know a lot of people and Bob and Carol took me under their wings and I so appreciated that. Ernie and I remember their hospitality at their son’s weddings. They were so proud of their family. May you find comfort and hope in God’s wonderful promises.
Bob was a very good family friend. I grew up knowing Bob as we were frequent guests of Manke’s resort. To this day, my family still quotes him from things Bob would say like “Mikey, where’s your helmet” or “Mikey, where’s my beer?” I have very fond memories of Bob and Carol that will carry with me throughout my life. He will be greatly missed.
Condolences from the McGuire family
~ Pat, Nancy, Jim, and Mike
we are very sorry to here of Bobs passing he will be missed
Jeff, Shawn and Families,
I just learned of Bob’s death today. We send our sympathy to you and our loving thoughts as you miss him . I’ll let my sisters know.
Jan Scovill
Shawn, Jeff and family – like a lot of the stories told above, some of my happiest memories are of Spectacle Lake, Mankes Resort and your family. I remember Bob’s parents living in the house by the lake and how your mom greeted our family every year we stayed. Ah, cabin # 2… not as fancy as cabin #1, but who needs a shower!
I dream about and want to return to a resort as simple and fun and happy as yours was. Bless you all for the memories you have given us. I was so sad when you mom passed and sad again that your dad has. Hugs to your family!
Mark Bishop – Edina, MN