Robert Moncivais

Robert "Bob" Moncivais, 53, of Iron River, went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Thursday, October 3, 2013 at the University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor. Bob was born December 24, 1959 in Chicago, IL, the son of Joseph and Carmen (Alicia) Moncivais. He graduated from Reavis High School in Burbank, IL and began his career as a musician. In 1981 while playing in bands that traveled the United States, Bob met the love of his life, Barbara "Bee" (Brandy) Benson. They were married on March 3, 1990 in Iron River and together they continued to travel the U.S. playing music. Eventually making their home in Iron River, they started their own business, Dr. Beat Recording Studio. For the past 35 years they have continued to entertain regionally in a variety of venues as the bands "Los Gatos," "Glass Heart" and currently as the band "In The Pocket." In 2000-2004 they performed as the evangelical outreach music ministry group known as "A Step In The Faith." Bob had a true passion for music and was an excellent and gifted bass player as well as a phenomenal music programmer. Bob enjoyed sports and was an avid Chicago Bears fan. He loved spending time with family and he especially loved his nieces and nephews. He had a soft heart for animals and dearly loved the family pets. He coined the phrase that his bands played "music for the soul." Bob's love of "rhythm" will remain evident in the music he created and he will be greatly missed by all who knew him. He is survived by his wife, Bee; his mother, Carmen; a sister, Renee (Jim) Sutera of Aurora, IL; two brothers, Jerry Moncivais of Chicago and Mike Moncivais (Nila) of Barbourville, Kentucky; mother-in-law, Ginny Benson; brothers and sisters-in-law, Ed (Hydee) Benson of Iron River, Rosemary (Donie) Malitz of WI, Punner (Mike) Franzene of Iron River, Lynda (Wade) Cross of Crystal Falls, Amy (Mark S.) Johnson of Iron River and Heidi (Jim) Barron of IL; and several nieces and nephews. Bob was preceded in death by his father, Joseph Moncivais and his father-in-law, Chester "Chet" Benson. Visitation will be held on Tuesday from 9:00 until 11:00am at the U.P. River Church in Iron River. Funeral services will follow at 11:00 am at the church. Pastor Jim Pellizzer will officiate. Pallbearers will be Ed Benson, Donie Malitz, Mike Franzene, Wade Cross, Mark Johnson and Jim Barron. Condolences may be expressed to the family of Bob Moncivais online at www.nashfuneralhome.net. The family has entrusted the Nash Funeral Home of Crystal Falls with the funeral arrangements.

Robert Moncivais

October 3, 1960 - October 3, 2013