Robert Earl Munkel

Robert Earl Munkel of Long Beach, Mississippi passed away on Monday, February 15th at Memorial Hospital in Gulfport, Mississippi. Robert was born on August 23, 1939 in Spring Grove, Minnesota to Earl and Ruth Munkel. He graduated from Spring Grove High School in 1957 and attended Winona State University in Winona, Minnesota. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1961 and a Master of Science degree in 1965, also from Winona State University. He served as President of the Science Academy while attending Winona State University. He was united in matrimony to Mary Ellen Conard on December 21, 1968 at St. Bernard's Church in Watertown, Wisconsin. They were married for 47 years. Robert carried his love of science to the classroom where he taught for 40 years at various schools in the Midwest including Stevens Point and Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, in addition to Grand Rapids High School in Minnesota, where he retired in 2001. Following retirement, Robert and Mary moved to Long Beach, Mississippi where they were members of Grace Lutheran Church in Long Beach. Robert was an avid fisherman and enjoyed competing in shooting sports. He was an eternal baseball fan and loved cheering on his favorite team, the Minnesota Twins. He also enjoyed reading history, fiction and science. Robert was preceded in death by his parents Earl Milton Munkel and Ruth Sylvia Munkel of Spring Grove, Minnesota. He is survived by his wife Mary Ellen Munkel of Long Beach, son Leif Erik Munkel, daughter in law, Colleen Madalene Munkel, and grandson Sander Liam Munkel of Hattiesburg, MS. Robert is also survived by his brother, Spencer Munkel and sister in law, Judy Munkel of Rochester, MN. The memorial service for Robert Munkel is scheduled for February 27th at 11 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church in Long Beach, MS followed by a committal of ashes at the Long Beach pier. Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home, 15th Street, Gulfport is in charge of arrangements. View and sign register book at www.bradfordokeefe.com In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Wounded Warriors Project. Donations may be made at www.woundedwarriorproject.org.