Bob was born November 20, 1944 in Cincinnati to Earl J. and Velma Menkhaus. He attended Western Hills High School graduating in 1963.
Bob joined the United States Army Reserves on February 6, 1963. Sergeant Menkhaus was honorably discharged on February 6, 1969.
During January 1964, he worked at the A&P Tea Company on Glenway Avenue. In July he switched to Meinerding Distributing Company. Then, in February 1965, he went to work as an assistant pressman at the C.W. Zumbiel Company.
Bob joined the City of Cincinnati on August 13, 1967 as a Cincinnati Workhouse Guard, renamed Community Corrections Institute (CCI) in 1973. From January to April 1974, he attended the Cincinnati Police Academy and was certified as an Ohio Peace Officer. During 1975, he was elected treasurer the local lodge of Federal Order of Corrections Officers. From the late 1970s to the early 1980s he served as president of local 898 of American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME). During July 1981, he was promoted to Line Wire Worker in the Telecommunications Division of the Safety Department. He resigned effective March 13, 1982.
On March 11, 1982, he returned to CCI as a Corrections Officer 2, by then under the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office. By 1985, he was promoted to Corrections Sergeant. All his performance evaluations speak of his arriving early, leaving late, doing more than was expected of him, and assisting in the training of new officers. He was a mentor for Deputy, later Sheriff, Charmaine McGuffey. She said of him, “Sergeant Menkhaus was the rare individual who was liked and respected by all!” On February 7, 2008, he earned the Corrections Supervisor of the Year Award. By then, in 41 years, he had not used a single sick day. Sergeant Menkhaus retired January 1, 2010 with 47 years of service to his country and community.
Sergeant Menkhaus died during the morning of December 3, 2022 at the age of 78.
He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Linda Marie (Smith) Menkhaus; sons, Robert Michael “Rob” (Sarah Richmond) Menkhaus and Michael (Bekka Sebree) Menkhaus; and grandson, Drew Menkhaus.
Visitation will be held 9:30 to 10:30 on Monday, December 12, 2022 at St. Antoninus Church at 1500 Linneman Road. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m.
Memorials may be made to Hospice of Cincinnati, PO Box 633597, Cincinnati, OH 45263.
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