Robert F. “Bob” Irish, age 85, a resident of Manitowoc, entered eternal life late Sunday evening, October 31, 2021 at Rivers Bend Health & Rehabilitation Center in Manitowoc.
Bob was born on February 22, 1936 in Houghton County, Michigan. He was the son of the late Fred and Margaret LaBelle Irish. Bob was a graduate of Traverse City High School with the class of 1954 and continued his education at Northwestern College in Travers City, MI. Bob then went to radio school in Chicago, IL for one year. He then became employed with WSNE Radio in Sheboygan and in 1957 he then moved to Manitowoc and became employed with WCUB Radio until he retired. On November 26, 1982 he married Judy Halada in Green Bay. Many people enjoyed his Saturday morning special doing history of Manitowoc County for eight years after he retired. Bob was a member and founder of the Lakeshore Snowmobile Club.
He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Judy, three daughters, Shelly (Dan) Kowalski, North Carolina, Kelly Ahrens (Jayson Goodman), Manitowoc, Shawn Coppersmith, Florida; two step children, Amy Heise (Bill Nell), Green Bay, Bob (Janice) Porter, Manitowoc; two grandson, Justin (Kendra) Ahrens and Chase Coppersmith; three step grandchildren, Devyn and Nicolas Heise and RJ Porter; one great granddaughter, Willow; one step great grandson, Jaxon; one sister, Nona Brown, Grand Rapids, MI; along with other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Margaret Irish and one sister Marietta Summerix.
Private funeral services for the family will be held at the Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home on Friday, November 5, 2021 with Deacon Mark LeGreve officiating. Following the private funeral service the public will be invited to a Life Celebration Social from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Harrigan Parkside Gathering Center, 620 North Water Street, Manitowoc, located on the south property of the Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home. Cremation will follow at the Harrigan Parkside Crematory and Chapel.
The family would like to extend their thanks and appreciation to the staff at Rivers Bend Health and Rehabilitation Center for the care and compassion that was given to Bob over the past 5 ½ years.
In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate memorials to a memorial fund that is being established in Bob’s name. Online condolences to the family may be sent to www.harriganparksidefuneralhome.com
The Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home and Crematory, North 11th and St. Clair streets, Manitowoc, is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.
