Robert Joseph Mongin

Robert J. Mongin, age 94, of Green Bay, passed away Friday, December 30, 2016. Robert was born April 24, 1922 in Green Bay, son of the late Joseph and Mary (Germiat) Mongin and was a 1940 graduate of Green Bay East High School.

Robert enlisted in the US Navy in November of 1942 where he received training as an Aviation Machinist specializing in hydraulics. He served in the Pacific on Majuro and Guam and he was honorably discharged, February 3, 1946. Under the G.I. Bill, he attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison, graduating with a Bachelor's Degree in Agriculture and a Major in Landscape Architecture. Following his graduation, he was employed by Wetli Landscape Service and then by the State of Wisconsin in Madison in the design and construction of highway waysides. He later supervised the planting of trees and shrubs from Madison to Milwaukee and then from Milwaukee to the border of Illinois. He was then hired as the first Landscape Architect for the City of Green Bay in 1965 and retired in 1985.

Robert had a love of airplanes and his family fondly remembers him flying his big remote planes over the Bay at the family cottage in Dykesville. He was a member of the Green Bay Airplane Club for many years. Robert received a pilot's license and was very proud that he was able to solo an airplane.

Robert had an unbelievable passion for plants and flowers that began at the age of 6 when he helped his mother plant her gardens. He was quoted as saying "You look at a flower and realize it's just a beautiful thing, it is God's creation." His main interest was perennials and he was asked many times to give speeches and to teach about them. Robert was one of the founders of the Green Bay Botanical Gardens and was one of six people to have a shovel and throw the first dirt when the project began. He was on their Board of Directors for more than 10 years and then was on the Building and Grounds Committee. He joined the Gardeners Club of Green Bay and was a Silver Trowel Award Committee member. He was a N.E.W. Master Gardener and spent hundreds of hours a year volunteering at the Botanical Gardens and many other gardens in parks around the city. Robert received numerous awards and honors for his dedication to many projects and his hours of volunteering. One of his last projects was the gardens at the University of Wisconsin-Brown County Extension office where a plaque on the large rock honors him by naming the garden the "Robert Mongin Garden."

Robert is survived by his sister, Ethel Ropson and by 2 very special nieces, Susan (Chris) Brickson and Mary Gilson. He is further survived by his nephews: Bob (Celeste) Lom, Steve (Carol) Lom, Don (Peg) Ropson, Mike (Laine) Ropson and many great-nieces and nephews. Robert is also survived by 2 very special friends, Dave and Ann Bonham and numerous friends and neighbors that were a wonderful part of his life.

He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant brother, Donald; 2 brothers: Harold and Richard Mongin; sister Mildred Lom; 2 brothers-in-law, Robert Lom and Cyrenne Ropson; nephew, Jerry Lom and a great-nephew, Tom Brickson.

Visitation will be held at NEWCOMER FUNERAL HOME (340 S. Monroe Ave., Green Bay), Tuesday, January 3, 2017 from 4 to 6:45 PM. A prayer service will follow at 7 PM. Visitation will continue at ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST PARISH (413 St. John St., Green Bay), Wednesday, January 4, 2017 from 10 to 10:45 AM. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 AM with Fr. Joseph Dorner as celebrant and Deacon Don Ropson assisting with full military honors to follow. To leave an online condolence for the family, please visit www.NewcomerGreenBay.com or for more information call (920)432-4841.

Robert's family would like to thank Angel's Touch Assisted Living and Compasses Hospice, especially Jed and Chaplain Ron, for the wonderful care they gave to Robert.