Philip Monnin

1938 - 2021

NEW BREMEN -- Philip V. Monnin, 82, of New Bremen, passed away on November 14, 2021 after a three-year battle with Lewy Body Dementia.

He was born December 9, 1938, in Russia, Ohio to the late Adrian and Ermal Monnin. On June 17, 1958, he married Doris Gigandet at Holy Family Church in Frenchtown, and she survives. He is also survived by his five children and their spouses, Philip (Shari) Monnin of Rochester, Michigan, Julie (Jim) Niekamp of St. Henry, Dr. Jeff (Beth) Monnin of Minster, Mike (Teresa) Monnin of Mason, and Krista (Dennis) Cisco of Anna; grandchildren Jason Monnin, Sheena Monnin, Mariah Schmitz, Philip Niekamp, Kate Hemmelgarn, Sarah Knapke, Paul Niekamp, Alex Monnin, Kara Monnin, Alisha Monnin, Ethan Monnin, Rachel Monnin, Liz Monnin, Jacqui Cisco, Ally Cisco; great-grandchildren Henry and Whit Monnin, Oliver, Graham, and Cora Schmitz, Robert Cisco-Homan, and Scarlett Weber; in-laws Dick and Pat Gigandet, Carl and Sue Gigandet, Shirley Schmidt, Diane Rambler, and Ralph Gigandet Jr. In addition to his parents, Phil was preceded in death by a sister and brother-in-law, Arabella and William Krites, sister-in-law, Jan Gigandet, and brother-in-law, Tim Schmidt.

Phil was a graduate of Russia High School and General Motors Institute, where he earned his engineering degree. After a career start at Ford Motor Company, he designed the shock absorber on the original '65 Mustang, earning the first of his five patents. He also attained a master's degree from Wayne State University. Phil worked at Minster Machine for almost 20 years, then left to follow his passion, eventually becoming responsible for three robotic start-up companies: GMFanuc in Michigan, Adept Technology in California, and Motoman in Troy, Ohio. He was the President and CEO of Motoman, and then became President and COO of Yaskawa Electric in Chicago. Phil was also the President of Signature 4, based in Celina. In 1999, Phil was honored to receive the Engelberger Medal for robotic industry leadership. More recently, he was the founder of Visionary Partners, and co-founder of both Revolutionary Machines and RevWire.

Phil was instrumental as a Minster School Board President and Booster Club Officer during the construction and planning for the original Minster Memorial Field and weight training facility. He was also co-designer of the Minster Machine Centennial Park gazebo. Phil was named Minster Athletic Booster of the Year in 2019. Phil will be remembered as a fun-loving and generous friend and mentor to his colleagues, as well as a loving husband, dad, and wonderful grandpa. The family would like to give special thanks to the staff at Elmwood-New Bremen where he was a resident for the past three years. Also, a big thank you to Jane Steineman and Grand Lake Hospice for treating Phil like family.

He was a member of the Church of the Holy Redeemer in New Bremen. A Memorial Mass will take place on Tuesday November 23, 2021 at 10:30 A.M. at the Holy Redeemer Church. Private family inurnment will follow in the St. Augustine Cemetery, Minster.

Family and friends will be received from 1:00 until 5:00 P.M., on Sunday November 21, 2021 at the Gilberg-Hartwig Funeral Home in New Bremen. Visitation prior to the funeral mass will be held from 9-10 A.M. AT THE CHURCH on Tuesday.

In lieu of gifts, memorial contributions in Phil's honor may be directed to Grand Lake Hospice or Minster Athletic Booster Club. Condolences may be expressed at www.gilberghartwigfh.com.