Robert Thomas Apple

Bob was born May 29, 1935, the son of Myrl and Catherine (Barrett) Apple and was raised in Green Bay, Wisconsin. He graduated from Green Bay West High School in 1953, where he excelled at football, track, and basketball. He earned a football scholarship to Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, where he played for the Northwestern Wildcats. Bob served for two years in the US Marine Corps, then, in January 1959, moved to Marquette to attend NMU. There, he received a Bachelor’s Degree in Education and he met the love of his life, Mary Jean Truckey. They married on August 22, 1959.

In 1961, Bob began teaching at Graveraet Junior High and soon went on to a long and distinguished career as a Mathematics teacher at Marquette Senior High School. There, he coached wrestling, freshman basketball, and was the head coach for the Redmen’s football and track team. Bob was a strong believer in higher education, and, while still teaching, earned a Master’s Degree in Mathematics from NMU. He was loved and respected by students and peers alike and was an inspiration for many, as an instructor, mentor, role model, and friend. He retired from teaching in 1989, but that didn’t slow him down. With Apple Residential Builders, he specialized in the construction of houses and camps.

Bob loved the outdoors, he was a passionate and avid hunter, he enjoyed fishing and skiing. For many years, Bob and Mary liked to travel, often wintering in Arizona. Bob’s love for his family was unmatched, he closely followed the athletic and academic achievements of his grandchildren. Bob was a member of St. Peter Cathedral, Marquette Elks Club B.P.O.E. 405, a past president of the Michigan Waterfowl Association, and was an avid Packers fan.

Bob is survived by his wife of 60 years Mary Jean Apple, his children, Bobby (Lynn) Apple, Catherine (Richard Isanove) Apple, Michael (Laura) Apple, and Bill (Erin) Apple, his grandchildren Kevin (Marisol), Casey, Kayla (Trever), Gabriel, Natalie, Damian, Sophie, Isaac, Mathieu, Halle, Robert, Joslyn, as well as his brother Charles (Sharon) Apple, his sisters-in-law Ruth Truckey, Maryrene Truckey and Marie Apple, and many nieces and nephews.

Robert Apple

Preceding him in death were his parents, his sister Mary Zwiefelhofer, his brother John Apple; Also preceding him in death were his parents in-law Willard and Siiri Truckey, his in-laws Pat and Tom Wiseman, Bob And Dorothy Truckey, George and Sue Truckey, Bill Truckey, Jack Truckey, Barbara Truckey, and Bernie Zwiefelhofer.

The family would like to express their appreciation to the staff of Trillium House, UP Home Health and Hospice, and the staff in Oncology at UP Health System for their compassionate and professional care, and for the many kindnesses extended to the family.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Trillium Hospice House, 1144 Northland Drive, Marquette, MI 49855 or Cancer Care of Marquette County, 700 W. Kaye Avenue, Marquette, MI 49855.

The family will receive relatives and friends in the Bishop’s Room located at St. Peter Cathedral on Friday, December 6, beginning at 9:00 am. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in the Cathedral at 11:00 am with Rev. Msgr. Michael Steber, pastor, as celebrant. Bob’s grandchildren will serve as pallbearers. A reception will follow in Cathedral Hall. Interment will be made in Holy Cross Cemetery.

Fassbender Swanson Hansen Funeral and Cremation Services is serving the family, where condolences may be expressed online at fassbenderswansonhansen.com