A 5-foot-by-7-foot hematite boulder from the Republic Mine was placed atop a nearly 15-ton concrete pedestal on a section of city right-of-way along Hematite Drive via a large crane.

A 5-foot-by-2.5-foot bronze-cast sculpture –which commemorates the international influences of Nobel Prize-winning physicist Dr. Glenn Seaborg, Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient and aeronautical engineer Clarence “Kelly” Johnson, and famous author and Michigan Supreme Court justice John Voelker — is now awaiting placement atop the hematite boulder.

Project organizer Bob Marietti said the sculpture was designed by noted local artist Mike Lempinen, who created a clay sculpture that was then cast in rubber and sent downstate for completion. He said Lempinen was expected to bring the final product back to Ishpeming on Friday.

“I don’t know when he is going to attach them, but we will probably keep them covered until we do the dedication,” Marietti said.

From left, Bricklayers Union Local 2 members John Holliday, Alex Sovey and William Eman pose for a photo in front of a 5-foot-by-7-foot hematite boulder placed at the Three Sons of Ishpeming monument on Friday (Journal photo by Lisa Bowers)

The bust, which is representative of the city’s “rich history,” is expected to be placed atop the chunk of hematite before the end of fall, Ishpeming City Manager Craig Cugini said.

“We are proud to represent the city with recognizing three of our forefathers that came through and really had an impact on our town,” Cugini said on Friday. “Being able to put something out that shows our proud history, it’s a great thing. It’s right along (the Iron Ore) Heritage Trail, so everyone coming in and out of town is going to have to look at it and take time to see it.”

Cugini said there is no set date for the dedication.

“We want to make sure that everything is in place and that we don’t miss something,” Cugini said. “The long pole in the tent was really the bust being built and them being on the road and coming back today. We should be able to set something up pretty soon. I want to give Bob and his team plenty of time to make sure it’s in place and done right before we open up and dedicate the area.”

Marietti noted and Cugini confirmed that no city funds were being used for the project.

Alex Sovey, an apprentice instructor for the Bricklayers Union Local 2, winds up twine following the placement of a 5-foot-by-7-foot hematite boulder from the Republic Mine atop a nearly 15-ton concrete pedestal at the Three Sons if Ishpeming memorial. The monument is the first in a series of installations honoring revered individuals in Ishpeming history, organizers say. (Journal photo by Lisa Bowers)

“We are managing the funds so that’s all processed and accounted for,” Cugini said. “Accounting is not Bob’s specialty. He’s got the ideas and the vision and we’re managing the accounting piece for him.”

Both Marietti and Cugini said they were pleased with the outcome and the volunteer effort all the way around the project.

“All of the labor is donated, Lindberg and Sons donates everything, or OK Rental,” Marietti said. “We just walk over there and ask for a piece of equipment. And if it’s available, it’s ours and there is no charge.”

Cugini said he was especially pleased and impressed with the work of volunteer Alex Sovey, an apprentice instructor for the Bricklayers Union Local 2, who produced the drawings and oversaw the construction of the memorial’s concrete foundation and plaza.

“If the city is going to inherit a project, I wanted to make sure the engineering is right and the city hadn’t received any of the engineering drawings,” Cugini said. “So I said, ‘Hey, let’s talk about this.’ (Because) if you are going to put a large piece of rock on top of a piece of concrete and that’s not pressure tested, you know (if) that concrete gives way and cracks underneath, I have to inherit a problem then. So, I wanted to make sure that everything is done. He’s really done a fantastic job of making sure. I mean, you wouldn’t believe what’s underground for supporting this whole thing. It’s over-engineered and over-designed to make sure it can last forever.”

William Eman, standing, right, John Holliday and Alex Sovey three members of the Bricklayers Union Local 2, check the placement of a hematite boulder on a pedestal along Hematite Drive in Ishpeming. As the business agent for the bricklayers John Kleiber, left, looks on. (Journal photo by Lisa Bowers)

Marietti noted that this is just the beginning of what he expects to be a much larger project.

“This whole stretch along the heritage trail here (will be) the Heritage Plaza,” Marietti said. “And we are going to landscape it, so that as you walk down there, it will be like the walk of fame.”

So far, around $20,000 has been collected in support of the $40,000 project, Marietti said.

He is requesting donations be made payable to the city of Ishpeming with a notation of Three Sons Memorial and mailed to Bob Marietti at 508 E. North St., Ishpeming, MI 49849.

For more information, contact Marietti via email at cmarietti@sbcglobal.net or call 906-486-6379.

Details on the project’s progress and the fundraising efforts can be found on the Ishpeming Heritage Plaza Facebook page.

Lisa Bowers can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 242. Her email address is lbowers@miningjournal.net.