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Obituary of Robert Alfred Briggs
ROBERT ALFRED BRIGGS
August 22, 1913 – March 30, 2018
Bob was born in Detroit, Michigan on August 22, 1913. He attended Southwestern High School and continued his education at Michigan State College of Agriculture and Applied Science (today known as Michigan State University). He graduated in June 1937 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering.
Upon graduation he was employed with the Michigan State Highway Department from 1937 to 1941 and the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) from 1941 to 1943. During the Second World War, he returned to Michigan and worked at Square Tool & Die in Detroit. He joined The Detroit Edison Company in 1947 as a Structural Engineer. During his career at Edison he held positions as Design Supervisor, Assistant Division Director, Civil Engineer, Division Director, Consulting Civil Engineer in the General Engineering Department. In 1961 he was appointed the Chief of the Civil Engineering Division. While working at Edison he held conceptual responsibility of civil engineering on all major Detroit Edison Company projects, including Harbor Beach Power Plant, Monroe Power Plant, and Enrico Fermi Atomic Power Plant. After a 31 year career, Bob retired from Detroit Edison in 1978.
On September 30, 1950 he received the title of “REGISTERED PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER” from the State of Michigan.
1961-1963 Bob was the Co-founder and First President of the American Society of Civil Engineers, Southeastern Branch. Lifetime member.
1977 Bob was presented the Outstanding Civil Engineering Award
1976-1979 Bob’s accomplishments held him a position in the “Marquis Who’s Who in the Midwest”.
Member of the American Concrete Institute
Member of the Engineering Society of Detroit
Member of the Society of American Military Engineers
Member of the American Rivers and Harbors Congress
Member of the American Arbitration Association
In 1980, Bob was elected to the International Platform Association. This is a non-partisan organization of distinguished and dedicated persons from 24 nations which was originally brought into existence by Mark Twain, William Jennings Bryan, Carl Sandburg and President William Howard Taft.
Member of Toastmaster International
Member of the 103rd O.V.I. – Civil War Memorial Foundation
Member and Past President of the Sons of the American Revolution
“The Michigan Society”
Member of Grosse Ile Presbyterian Church
On November 26, 1938 Bob married Janet (Jennie), his childhood sweetheart. Bob’s beloved Jennie preceded him in death on October 13, 2005. Bob and Jennie had three children, 8 grandchildren, 13 great – grandchildren and 1 great-great grandson.
Harry (Diane) Briggs
Elizabeth (Robert) Farhat
Estella
Amelie (Jay) Riendl
Natalie
James
Christine (Jerry) Campbell
Janet (Jenny) (Victor) Ibarluzea
Nicholas
Christine (Tinie)
Seve
Nathanial
Michael (Ruth)
Pamela (Mike)
Beryl O’Farrell
Robert (deceased)
Shannon
Anthony (Tony)
Scott
Gabe
Sydney
Alexander
Bruce (Emma)
Emily
Magnus
Bob loved to travel and gave his family wonderful memories of camping all over the United States including a camping trip to Alaska to share in the celebration of it becoming the 50th state. He loved taking pictures of all the travels; he enjoyed playing the organ, guitar and tap-dancing at the age of 45.
Bob was a loving and devoted husband, a fantastic father and a fun loving grandfather who liked to walk on his hands in the yard and always show the kids interesting and unusual things.
May we all remember Bob as a gentleman, a mentor and a Scholar.
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Our History
John Molnar, Sr. opened the Detroit Hungarian Funeral Home, now the Molnar Funeral Homes, in 1923. The funeral home began in his home until relocating across the street to it's Delray location at 8623 Dearborn Avenue, in 1936. He had a strong work ethic and believed that you should never stop learning...
