The following has been posted in the Alpena News. www.thealpenanews.com

ALPENA - Alpena's foremost historian, Robert Haltiner, passed away Feb. 14, 2012, at Tendercare Alpena following a lengthy illness.

The 81-year-old Haltiner leaves behind a rich legacy as both the long-time curator of the Besser Museum for Northeast Michigan and as the author of 11 books pertaining to local history.

Both Haltiner and his father, the late Gerald Haltiner, were intrigued by the prehistoric people who once roamed the region. They made extensive archaeological discoveries and then eagerly shared those finds with the public at their own private museum known as the Haltiners' Hall of Ancient Man in Ossineke. Eventually, father and son transferred their sizable holdings to the Besser Museum, where today, 40 years later, the collection of more than 20,000 artifacts still remains a major point of interest for museum visitors.

"Bob and his father made very important contributions to understanding the prehistory of the region," said Gene Jenneman, executive director of the Dennos Museum Center in Traverse City, who worked with Haltiner at the Besser Museum from 1971 to1984.

Haltiner joined the museum staff in 1969 as a curator and over the years helped to establish many of the facility's major collections. Jenneman remembers as a young college graduate working closely with Haltiner on the development of exhibits.

"He was one of those people who you thoroughly enjoyed being with and working with," Jenneman said. "I, being young and a novice, to have somebody who respected your abilities and your talents, it meant quite a bit. The man was creative in so many different ways and was able to do wonderful things with very limited resources."

Chris Witulski, current interim director at the Besser Museum, also expressed her appreciation of Haltiner for his support and willingness to share his vast reservoir of knowledge with her. She also put a high premium on the lasting contributions he made to the museum and through his books.

"If it wasn't for Bob and his father, the museum would not have such a valued collection. It is truly an anchor collection," Witulski said. "And what a lasting contribution he has made through his books. There won't be another Bob Haltiner."

Haltiner graduated from Alpena High School as salutatorian in 1949. He served in the United States Army from 1952 to 1954.

Over the years, he was a founding member or participant in numerous historical or preservation-based organizations at the local, state and national level. Among the groups he helped to start were the Coffinberry Chapter of the Michigan Archaeological Society, Thunder Bay Island Preservation Society, Alpena Historical Society and Thunder Bay Underwater Preserve.

Additionally, Haltiner served as a member of the Advisory Council for NOAA's Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, Alpena City Historical District Study Committee, and US-23 Heritage Highway Committee. He also was a past president and long-time member of the Thunder Bay Theatre Board of Directors.

In 1984, Haltiner published a historical account of his beloved hometown called "The Town That Wouldn't Die." The popular 140-page book provided a photographic history of Alpena from its earliest beginnings through 1940.

"I was always amazed at his really wide-ranging interests all the way from Native American studies and all the work he did with his father on local archeology to his interest in local history," said long-time friend and fellow local historian Bob Lyngos. "He was tireless in chasing things down. I think his book, 'The Town That Wouldn't Die,' is the one that really recorded and preserved Alpena history."

Haltiner retired from the museum in 2000 and set about writing in earnest. He went on to publish 10 other volumes, including his six-part "Alpena Gleanings" series. He often spent a great deal of time doing research at the Alpena County Library, and he generously donated the proceeds from many of his books to the library.

One of his favorite pastimes was walking through the city's cemeteries, discovering long-forgotten residents who he then researched and highlighted in his books.

"I always remember him saying that history was made not necessarily by the big names recorded in history, but by so many of the little people who helped to make the town grow," Lyngos said.

Bob Kujawa, another long-time friend and lover of local history, often supplied Haltiner with old photographs to use in his many books.

"He was a kind and gentle man who loved Alpena and its citizens," Kujawa said. "His typewriter is silent now, but the information in his books remains loud and clear."

Arrangements for Haltiner are being handled by McWilliams Funeral Home. A memorial service will be planned at a later date.

Diane Speer can be reached via email at lifestyles@thealpenanews.com or by phone at 358-5691.