Robert "Bob" Gebhart, 80, of Kiel, died Saturday, July 12, at the Sharon Richardson Hospice.
He was born on June 28, 1928, the son of Charles and Thelma (Strebe) Gebhart, Bob grew up on a farm in rural Chilton, attended St. Charles School in Charlesburg and was a graduate of "Charlesburg Tech." On November 23, 1949, he married Eleanor Biese at St. Martin Catholic Church in Charlestown and began a career farming and working at a feed mill.
Bob worked in the dairy industry his entire life; first as a dairy farmer in the Charlesburg area, then as a milk hauler, cheese maker and eventually personnel coordinator for Lake-to-Lake Dairy in Kiel. He retired from Land O Lakes Dairy in 1991.
Bob was a devoted public servant. In the early 1970s, he was elected alderman in the City of Kiel, served as Council President and later, as Mayor of Kiel. During the course of his 32-year career serving the city and the people of Kiel, Bob was instrumental in updating city infrastructure, including a new waste water treatment plant and firehouse and extensive biking and hiking trails. Under Bob's leadership, the City of Kiel welcomed Sargento Cheese to the business community and added new home subdivisions in Rockville, Hillcrest and others. As a result of his efforts to ensure the growth of Kiel, Gebhart Way was named in his honor. In addition, Bob served on numerous community boards including the Library Board and various county boards. One of the highlights of his many years of community service was being named "Citizen of the Year" by the Kiel Kiwanis Club in 2000 where one of his best friends described him as "A Big Man with a Big Heart."
In his retirement years, Bob was an avid gardener and enjoyed re-crafting old wooden furniture with his friend, Melvin Ruh. Bob loved playing cards and having "breakfast meetings" with friends. During his lifetime he took flying lessons, collected comic books, enjoyed a good cigar and riding his cycle around town. He was proud of his children's education and accomplishments and they in turn were proud of his.
Bob was a long-time member of the Saints Peter and Paul Church in Kiel where he had served as an usher and was an active member of the Knights of Columbus. His many friends and family recall fondly his annual drive to sell raffle tickets for the Knights.
Bob is survived by his wife of 59 years, Eleanor, of Kiel. His four children: Diane Gebhart of La Crosse, WI; David (Patty) Gebhart of La Crosse, WI; Jean (Allen) Patriquin of Portland, ME; and Lisa (Steve) Black of Edina, MN, Surviving grandchildren are: Tracy (Joe) Schams of La Crosse, WI; Robin Gebhart of Eden Prairie, MN; Ashley Gebhart of Minneapolis, MN; Travis Gebhart of La Crosse, WI; David Patriquin and Sarah Patriquin of Portland, ME; and Charlie Black and Sam Black of Edina, MN.
He is further survived by one sister, Kathleen Chapman of Berlin, WI; brothers-in-law Gilbert Veit, Martin (Rogene) Biese, Clarence (Mary Jane) Biese, Floyd (Bernice) Biese; sisters-in-law Caroline (Clarence) Schneider, Elizabeth (Donald) Hennings ,Ruth Biese and Darlene Biese Schultz..
Bob was preceded in death by one daughter, Bonnie Gebhart; two sisters, Mildred Curtis; Virginia Jodar; two brothers, Wallace Gebhart; and David Gebhart; sisters-in-law Dolores Gebhart and Dolores Viet; brothers-in-law Roman Biese, Richard Biese, Robert Biese, Wayne Chapman, Warren Jodar and Elvin "Babe" Emerich.
The Sheboygan Press
July 14, 2008
He was born on June 28, 1928, the son of Charles and Thelma (Strebe) Gebhart, Bob grew up on a farm in rural Chilton, attended St. Charles School in Charlesburg and was a graduate of "Charlesburg Tech." On November 23, 1949, he married Eleanor Biese at St. Martin Catholic Church in Charlestown and began a career farming and working at a feed mill.
Bob worked in the dairy industry his entire life; first as a dairy farmer in the Charlesburg area, then as a milk hauler, cheese maker and eventually personnel coordinator for Lake-to-Lake Dairy in Kiel. He retired from Land O Lakes Dairy in 1991.
Bob was a devoted public servant. In the early 1970s, he was elected alderman in the City of Kiel, served as Council President and later, as Mayor of Kiel. During the course of his 32-year career serving the city and the people of Kiel, Bob was instrumental in updating city infrastructure, including a new waste water treatment plant and firehouse and extensive biking and hiking trails. Under Bob's leadership, the City of Kiel welcomed Sargento Cheese to the business community and added new home subdivisions in Rockville, Hillcrest and others. As a result of his efforts to ensure the growth of Kiel, Gebhart Way was named in his honor. In addition, Bob served on numerous community boards including the Library Board and various county boards. One of the highlights of his many years of community service was being named "Citizen of the Year" by the Kiel Kiwanis Club in 2000 where one of his best friends described him as "A Big Man with a Big Heart."
In his retirement years, Bob was an avid gardener and enjoyed re-crafting old wooden furniture with his friend, Melvin Ruh. Bob loved playing cards and having "breakfast meetings" with friends. During his lifetime he took flying lessons, collected comic books, enjoyed a good cigar and riding his cycle around town. He was proud of his children's education and accomplishments and they in turn were proud of his.
Bob was a long-time member of the Saints Peter and Paul Church in Kiel where he had served as an usher and was an active member of the Knights of Columbus. His many friends and family recall fondly his annual drive to sell raffle tickets for the Knights.
Bob is survived by his wife of 59 years, Eleanor, of Kiel. His four children: Diane Gebhart of La Crosse, WI; David (Patty) Gebhart of La Crosse, WI; Jean (Allen) Patriquin of Portland, ME; and Lisa (Steve) Black of Edina, MN, Surviving grandchildren are: Tracy (Joe) Schams of La Crosse, WI; Robin Gebhart of Eden Prairie, MN; Ashley Gebhart of Minneapolis, MN; Travis Gebhart of La Crosse, WI; David Patriquin and Sarah Patriquin of Portland, ME; and Charlie Black and Sam Black of Edina, MN.
He is further survived by one sister, Kathleen Chapman of Berlin, WI; brothers-in-law Gilbert Veit, Martin (Rogene) Biese, Clarence (Mary Jane) Biese, Floyd (Bernice) Biese; sisters-in-law Caroline (Clarence) Schneider, Elizabeth (Donald) Hennings ,Ruth Biese and Darlene Biese Schultz..
Bob was preceded in death by one daughter, Bonnie Gebhart; two sisters, Mildred Curtis; Virginia Jodar; two brothers, Wallace Gebhart; and David Gebhart; sisters-in-law Dolores Gebhart and Dolores Viet; brothers-in-law Roman Biese, Richard Biese, Robert Biese, Wayne Chapman, Warren Jodar and Elvin "Babe" Emerich.
The Sheboygan Press
July 14, 2008
Robert "Bob" Gebhart, 80, of Kiel, died Saturday, July 12, at the Sharon Richardson Hospice.
He was born on June 28, 1928, the son of Charles and Thelma (Strebe) Gebhart, Bob grew up on a farm in rural Chilton, attended St. Charles School in Charlesburg and was a graduate of "Charlesburg Tech." On November 23, 1949, he married Eleanor Biese at St. Martin Catholic Church in Charlestown and began a career farming and working at a feed mill.
Bob worked in the dairy industry his entire life; first as a dairy farmer in the Charlesburg area, then as a milk hauler, cheese maker and eventually personnel coordinator for Lake-to-Lake Dairy in Kiel. He retired from Land O Lakes Dairy in 1991.
Bob was a devoted public servant. In the early 1970s, he was elected alderman in the City of Kiel, served as Council President and later, as Mayor of Kiel. During the course of his 32-year career serving the city and the people of Kiel, Bob was instrumental in updating city infrastructure, including a new waste water treatment plant and firehouse and extensive biking and hiking trails. Under Bob's leadership, the City of Kiel welcomed Sargento Cheese to the business community and added new home subdivisions in Rockville, Hillcrest and others. As a result of his efforts to ensure the growth of Kiel, Gebhart Way was named in his honor. In addition, Bob served on numerous community boards including the Library Board and various county boards. One of the highlights of his many years of community service was being named "Citizen of the Year" by the Kiel Kiwanis Club in 2000 where one of his best friends described him as "A Big Man with a Big Heart."
In his retirement years, Bob was an avid gardener and enjoyed re-crafting old wooden furniture with his friend, Melvin Ruh. Bob loved playing cards and having "breakfast meetings" with friends. During his lifetime he took flying lessons, collected comic books, enjoyed a good cigar and riding his cycle around town. He was proud of his children's education and accomplishments and they in turn were proud of his.
Bob was a long-time member of the Saints Peter and Paul Church in Kiel where he had served as an usher and was an active member of the Knights of Columbus. His many friends and family recall fondly his annual drive to sell raffle tickets for the Knights.
Bob is survived by his wife of 59 years, Eleanor, of Kiel. His four children: Diane Gebhart of La Crosse, WI; David (Patty) Gebhart of La Crosse, WI; Jean (Allen) Patriquin of Portland, ME; and Lisa (Steve) Black of Edina, MN, Surviving grandchildren are: Tracy (Joe) Schams of La Crosse, WI; Robin Gebhart of Eden Prairie, MN; Ashley Gebhart of Minneapolis, MN; Travis Gebhart of La Crosse, WI; David Patriquin and Sarah Patriquin of Portland, ME; and Charlie Black and Sam Black of Edina, MN.
He is further survived by one sister, Kathleen Chapman of Berlin, WI; brothers-in-law Gilbert Veit, Martin (Rogene) Biese, Clarence (Mary Jane) Biese, Floyd (Bernice) Biese; sisters-in-law Caroline (Clarence) Schneider, Elizabeth (Donald) Hennings ,Ruth Biese and Darlene Biese Schultz..
Bob was preceded in death by one daughter, Bonnie Gebhart; two sisters, Mildred Curtis; Virginia Jodar; two brothers, Wallace Gebhart; and David Gebhart; sisters-in-law Dolores Gebhart and Dolores Viet; brothers-in-law Roman Biese, Richard Biese, Robert Biese, Wayne Chapman, Warren Jodar and Elvin "Babe" Emerich.
The Sheboygan Press
July 14, 2008
He was born on June 28, 1928, the son of Charles and Thelma (Strebe) Gebhart, Bob grew up on a farm in rural Chilton, attended St. Charles School in Charlesburg and was a graduate of "Charlesburg Tech." On November 23, 1949, he married Eleanor Biese at St. Martin Catholic Church in Charlestown and began a career farming and working at a feed mill.
Bob worked in the dairy industry his entire life; first as a dairy farmer in the Charlesburg area, then as a milk hauler, cheese maker and eventually personnel coordinator for Lake-to-Lake Dairy in Kiel. He retired from Land O Lakes Dairy in 1991.
Bob was a devoted public servant. In the early 1970s, he was elected alderman in the City of Kiel, served as Council President and later, as Mayor of Kiel. During the course of his 32-year career serving the city and the people of Kiel, Bob was instrumental in updating city infrastructure, including a new waste water treatment plant and firehouse and extensive biking and hiking trails. Under Bob's leadership, the City of Kiel welcomed Sargento Cheese to the business community and added new home subdivisions in Rockville, Hillcrest and others. As a result of his efforts to ensure the growth of Kiel, Gebhart Way was named in his honor. In addition, Bob served on numerous community boards including the Library Board and various county boards. One of the highlights of his many years of community service was being named "Citizen of the Year" by the Kiel Kiwanis Club in 2000 where one of his best friends described him as "A Big Man with a Big Heart."
In his retirement years, Bob was an avid gardener and enjoyed re-crafting old wooden furniture with his friend, Melvin Ruh. Bob loved playing cards and having "breakfast meetings" with friends. During his lifetime he took flying lessons, collected comic books, enjoyed a good cigar and riding his cycle around town. He was proud of his children's education and accomplishments and they in turn were proud of his.
Bob was a long-time member of the Saints Peter and Paul Church in Kiel where he had served as an usher and was an active member of the Knights of Columbus. His many friends and family recall fondly his annual drive to sell raffle tickets for the Knights.
Bob is survived by his wife of 59 years, Eleanor, of Kiel. His four children: Diane Gebhart of La Crosse, WI; David (Patty) Gebhart of La Crosse, WI; Jean (Allen) Patriquin of Portland, ME; and Lisa (Steve) Black of Edina, MN, Surviving grandchildren are: Tracy (Joe) Schams of La Crosse, WI; Robin Gebhart of Eden Prairie, MN; Ashley Gebhart of Minneapolis, MN; Travis Gebhart of La Crosse, WI; David Patriquin and Sarah Patriquin of Portland, ME; and Charlie Black and Sam Black of Edina, MN.
He is further survived by one sister, Kathleen Chapman of Berlin, WI; brothers-in-law Gilbert Veit, Martin (Rogene) Biese, Clarence (Mary Jane) Biese, Floyd (Bernice) Biese; sisters-in-law Caroline (Clarence) Schneider, Elizabeth (Donald) Hennings ,Ruth Biese and Darlene Biese Schultz..
Bob was preceded in death by one daughter, Bonnie Gebhart; two sisters, Mildred Curtis; Virginia Jodar; two brothers, Wallace Gebhart; and David Gebhart; sisters-in-law Dolores Gebhart and Dolores Viet; brothers-in-law Roman Biese, Richard Biese, Robert Biese, Wayne Chapman, Warren Jodar and Elvin "Babe" Emerich.
The Sheboygan Press
July 14, 2008
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