L.E. Jones honors WWII vet, former employee

MENOMINEE — “There are special moments for a family, for a company and for a community that tend to stand out... and this is one of them,” said David Doll, CEO of L. E. Jones Co.

Employees, retirees, board members, local elected officials and family members came together Feb. 23 L. E. Jones’ R&D Technology Center to honor the life and legacy of Robert “Bob” Salzman. “It would be an understatement to say that Bob led a life well lived when you look at all that he accomplished in his 99 years as a father, a husband, a serviceman, a colleague to many and a friend to most all in our community,” Doll said.

Salzman was a retired U.S. Army Veteran of World War II and then followed up his service with a four decade plus career at L.E. Jones Company. First starting his time with the L.E. Jones Company in 1942 where he was the company’s second employee behind company namesake Lino Erik Jones, Salzman soon enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1943, where he was assigned to the 602nd Army Engineers Battalion in Europe.

Shortly after his military career, he returned to the L.E. Jones Company. During his 44-year career at the company that followed, Salzman worked as a machinist in the company’s engineering department, and later served in the sales department until his retirement in 1986. He continued to consult and work with the company for many years thereafter and was active in the company retiree community.

Salzman served a pivotal role in the company’s success and longevity and many of the machining and engineering efforts he pioneered are with the company to this day. Salzman died age 99 on Sept. 6, 2022.

Accompanying his achievements in his professional career and as a soldier, Salzman was a respected and beloved father. His legacy lives on among his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

On hand for this special day was Congressman Jack Bergman, R-Mich., to present a Congressional Resolution to honor the life and legacy of Robert Salzman. Accepting on the family’s behalf were Salzman’s sons — Ken Salzman of Marinette and Ron Salzman of College Station, Texas. They were each joined by their wives Mary and Keyan, respectively. Bergman quoted from the Resolution as adopted and read into the Congressional Register in December 2023 and then concluded by saying: “I am honored to recognize Robert Salzman for his lifelong commitment to our country and his community.”

Befitting Salzman’s long and distinguished life, a Michigan State Tribute was also presented to his sons. State Rep. Dave Prestin, R-Cedar River, and State Sen. Ed McBroom, R-Vulcan, were at the ceremony.

“Robert E. Salzman is an outstanding example of the kind of person who is not content to sit idly, while others take action,” McBroom said. “Through his work with L.E. Jones and his commitment to his family and his community, he has made it clear that we have opportunities each and every day to put our talents to good use in helping out our fellow citizens. We all benefit from the example set by a man like Robert E. Salzman.”

Prior to the ceremony, L. E. Jones Board member Doug Dooley provided the Salzman family with a private tour of L. E. Jones. Dooley personally knew and worked with Salzman for decades and was able to share stories about his time at the company and the contributions he made. Ken and Ron, on behalf of themselves and their sister, Linda who could not attend, said how much they know it would have meant to their dad for him to be honored in this way.