Robert A. Staehler
Robert A. (Bob) Staehler, age 93 of Kewaskum entered eternal life on May 2, 2024, at Kettle Gardens Assisted Living Facility where he had been a resident for a short time.
Bob was born August 29, 1930, in Kewaskum. He was the son of the late Alois and Margaret (Karius) Staehler. Bob was a graduate of Kewaskum High School, with the class of 1948. He married Jeanne Ann Gill on May 9, 1953, at St. Michaels Catholic Church in Parnell.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Jeanne.
He is survived by his sister, Kathy (Staehler) Boegel of Niles, IL; four children, Patrick (Deb) Staehler of Richfield, Kerry (Barb) Staehler of Wittenberg, Christine Staehler of Granger, IN, and Jack Staehler (Wendy) of Deer Park, IL; grandchildren, Ryan (Pamela) Staehler, Adam (Jessy) Staehler, Scott (Tuesday) Staehler, Sarah (Jason) Fox, Brandon (Debra) Koth, Joey Staehler, Samantha Staehler; and step-grandchildren, Melisa (Matt) Britten, Matt (Kelly) Gray; and several great-grandchildren.
After high school, he entered the Navy as a seaman and became member of VF133 Fighter Squadron supporting the Military Air Transport of the Berlin Airlift, then a Flight Deck Director on the USS Midway Aircraft Carrier on tours across the Atlantic and into Mediterranean. He was very proud of his naval service, and in 2018, along with his sons, walked with pride across the flight deck and throughout the entire USS Midway Museum in San Diego.
After four years in the Navy, Bob was literally a jack-of-all-trades and held various jobs, appliance and electronics repair, bartender, heating oil delivery, carpet layer. He was employed for over 20 years at Weasler Engineering and retired in 1992. He was very active in local fund raising for volunteer social clubs: American Legion, Lions and Kiwanis as well as a rescue squad lead on the Kewaskum Voluntary Fire Department. Since 1970, Bob was a very dedicated advocate for the advancement the sport of snowmobiling in Wisconsin, having served as the founder, instructor and president Kewaskum Snow-Chiefs and president of the Association of Wisconsin Snowmobile Clubs. He also represented the sport as a member of the Wisconsin Governor’s Council. He continued riding snowmobiles and ATVs until he was 91 years old!
In retirement, he was an avid wood worker having built cradles, clocks and furniture and was a relentless problem solver, learner and deeply curious about mechanical and electronics. He attended deer hunting camp with generations of friends and family through 2023. He loved big band music so much he had his own Pandora station ready to go upon voice command – he loved that!
He continued to make new friends wherever he went and welcomed new members of his family with love. Of all the things Bob had undertaken over the course of his life, his greatest joy was spending time with people and was happy to tell everyone his most profound accomplishment is his family.
A Memorial Mass will be held on Saturday, August 24, 2024, at 12 p.m. at Holy Trinity Catholic Church (331 Main St. – Kewaskum, WI 53040). The family will greet relatives and friends on Saturday at Church from 10 a.m. until 11:45 a.m. Inurnment will be at Holy Trinity Cemetery following Mass.
The family would like to thank the staff at Kettle Gardens Assisted Living in Kewaskum and Preceptor Hospice Care whose professionalism and compassion ensured Bob’s last days.
For full notice see www.myrhum-patten.com.
