Dr. Robert J. Fleming

He was born December 23, 1946, in Alpena, Michigan, a son of the late Orville and Evelyn (Putzig) Fleming. He was a 1965 graduate of Alpena High School and attended Alpena Community College. He earned a Bachelor and Master’s degree in Business Administration at Central Michigan University, and while teaching he earned his Doctorate at Ole Miss.

Bob was drafted into the US Army in 1970 and served in payroll in Germany during the Vietnam War.

He taught business at Ferris State University for a year before marrying Cynthia Shafto at St. Casimir Catholic Church in Posen, Michigan on August 11, 1973.

Following their marriage in Posen, they moved, and Bob taught at Quincy College in Illinois and at the University of Mississippi before joining the staff at Northern Michigan University in 1978, when they moved to Marquette.

In 1985, John was born and their family was complete. They remained there where Bob taught courses until his retirement in 2014.

He served as a faculty advisor for Alpha Kappa Psi (a professional business fraternity) and the Accounting and Finance Club. He was a member of the Economic Club of Marquette, Institute of Management Accounting and Redeemer Lutheran Church.

Bob enjoyed fishing with his father on Lake Huron in his youth. He also enjoyed the outdoors and fishing at his cottage on Lake Au Train. He was involved and advocated for the Boy Scouts of America, more specifically in Troop 305 with his son.

Additionally, he loved hunting and spending time at deer camp in Hawks, Michigan where he both taught and shared his love of the outdoors with his son, John. He travelled to all 50 states and participated in one overseas mission trip with his church. He was always engaging and social and enjoyed conversations with new people he met. He also enjoyed a good game of cribbage, as well as, lunches and coffee get-togethers with his fellow professors, friends, and with the “old timers” at the Night Hawk Inn.

Of all these things that brought him joy, spending any time with any of his family was always his most favorite thing to do.

The day before his passing he celebrated his and Cindy’s 50th Wedding Anniversary in their home. That was certainly both a huge milestone, as well as, a very loving gift.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Orville and Evelyn, and his infant sister, Gloria.

He is deeply missed by his wife, Cindy, of Marquette, MI; his sister, Kay (Randy) of Alpena, MI; favorite son, John (Kacie) of Lyndon Station, WI and his four grandchildren, Jaelee, Lukas, Reagan, and Niko, whom he absolutely adored.

Visitation will be held on Friday, August 18, 2023 from 4 pm to 7pm at Canale-Tonella Funeral Home and Cremation Services. A rosary service will be held at 6:30pm.

Visitation will also be held on Saturday, August 19, 2023 from 1pm to 2pm at Redeemer Lutheran Church. A funeral service will be held at 2pm in the church with Rev. Daniel Ondov officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Care Clinic, Redeemer Lutheran Church, St. Peter Cathedral, the “Road Home” PTSD therapy program at Rush University in Chicago, or UP Home Health & Hospice.

Memories of Bob may be shared at canalefuneral.com.