'Lighthouse Bob' Memorial

Service for Hanford This Saturday
Donald Lierman
Contributing Writer

Robert “Lighthouse Bob” Hanford devoted more than 20 years to the Port Huron community as keeper of the Fort Gratiot Lighthouse. Saturday, June 26, the community will honor the life and service of Hanford with a memorial service at 11 a.m. on the grounds of the lighthouse. The memorial is open to the public.

Many remember Hanford from the many tours of the lighthouse he oversaw as lighthouse keeper, a position he held since 1988. Prior to those years, Hanford, who passed away on June 4, served in both theatres of World War II and spent 25 distinguished years with the Detroit Police Department.

“Bob was truly a member of the ‘Greatest Generation,’” said Bill Thornton, a fellow U. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary member. “That generation, which came of age during World War II, produced outstanding individuals whose characters were honed by that bloody conflict.”

Hanford was born in Plainfield, New Jersey and his family relocated to Detroit in 1934. Nine years later he enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard and during WWII as a landing-craft operator, he deployed troops at the invasions of Normandy and southern France in the Atlantic Theatre, and at Iwo Jima and Okinawa in the Pacific Theatre.

“In 1942, Bob enlisted in the United States Coast Guard at the age of 17,” Dave Bennis, a friend and co-worker at the Fort Gratiot Light Station, said. “As both of his parents had died, his brother had to sign the enlistment papers. At D-Day, Bob’s memory was etched, that the ocean was red for three days with the blood of the troops that didn’t make it through that fateful day.”

After the war, Hanford returned to Michigan and spent 25 years with the Detroit Police Department. He was cited for numerous awards, including a meritorious service award bestowed upon retirement. As well as general police work, Hanford was a member of the Motorcycle Division and was involved in undercover assignments. After retirement, he became the bodyguard for General Motors’ C.E.O. Roger Smith for seven years.

Locally, Hanford is best known for his involvement as the Fort Gratiot Lighthouse Keeper. Thousands of light house fans, school children and tourists have been enlightened by Hanford’s tours of the grounds, as well as numerous presentations he presented during the winter months.

“Bob was quite the character,” Bennis said. “One time a school boy asked him if the lighthouse was haunted. Bob didn’t bat an eye and replied, ‘Maybe not yet, but it will be one day.’ When kids would camp the grounds, he would sometimes climb into the tower and flash a lantern to spook them.”

The United States Coast Guard – Port Huron Station and the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary are opening the grounds of the Fort Gratiot Lighthouse Saturday’s memorial, with Ray Carrier, chaplain of the Michigan Allied Veterans Council, officiating. The council will also provide the honor guard at the memorial.

Representatives from the USCG Auxiliary, USCG 9th District (Cleveland), Detroit and Port Huron Stations will attend the service, as well as from the vessels Hollyhock and Bramble.
Parking is limited to the Lighthouse Beach lot and entry confined to the double gates into the station on Omar Street.

Bob is survived by his daughter Lynne (John) Capadagli, sons Scott Hanford and Kim Hanford.