The passing of Satellite Beach Police Det. Cpl. Rob Mench, 53, has residents remembering him as a longtime motorcycle officer willing to pitch in, and a family man who bravely battled cancer for more than a year before ultimately losing the fight Nov. 16.
Mench, who leaves behind his wife, Jennifer, and children Jacob, Camille and Caitie, started work full time with the Satellite Beach Police Department on Aug. 24, 1994. His last assignment was with the detective unit, said police Chief Jeff Pearson. But what he was most associated with was the department’s motorcycle unit.
One of the unit members posted a Facebook photo collage of Mench on his motorcycle with the caption: “Dedicated to a man whose kindness touched all who knew him. A hero to those he served and now an angel to us all.”
“He was well liked and well known because he spent so much time on the motorcycle and he would go do parades like Founders Day. We no longer have a motorcycle unit because it’s hard to find officers who want to ride them. He definitely will be missed,’’ Pearson said.
Services were held Nov. 27 at Saint Sebastian’s By-the-Sea Episcopal Church in Melbourne Beach.
A Facebook page has been set up by family friend Penny Conner and others to raise funds for the family. As of Sunday at noon, $7,735 had been donated toward a goal of $50,000.
Conner posted that she was thrilled with the response so far.
“Jennifer is faced with many bills that mounted up while Rob was ill and we’d like to help raise some funds to help ease her burden during this unimaginable time. I know we’ve set a lofty goal, but believe me, it’s absolutely necessary. Everyone who knows Jen knows that she’s the first one to help others, and it’s so humbling to see that happening for her right now,’’ Conner wrote.
To donate, visit the Facebook page “Memorial for Rob Mench & Support for Jennifer Mench and her kids.”