Dennis Grall

ESCANABA — The passing of Bob Ranguette marks the second departure of an old area luminary this year. U.P. Sports Hall of Famer George Shomin of Escanaba died May 29. Ranguette, 82, died Aug. 21. After serving in World War II, he played basketball for two years at Michigan State University Frank Rodman of Hermansville said “I consider Bob Ranguette possibly the finest center in U.P. sports history, for the 1946-56 era for sure.” Rodman, the face of the Hermansville Gold Medal Classic independent basketball tournament for most of its 70 years, vividly recalls Ranguette’s performances along with so many other outstanding players of that time. “He was a rebounder, he could play the pivot, and he had a helluva hook shot,” said Rodman. “Basketball competition at the time was the best, it was top notch. Ranguette was the best because he played in the best era.” Rodman put Ranguette ahead of fabled Mel Peterson of Stephenson and Tony Machalk of Hermansville at the pivot.