- Robert "Bob" Gebhart, 80, of 1212 Kristel Heights, Kiel, died Saturday, July 12, 2008, at the Sharon Richardson Hospice from the effects of a stroke. 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 Nov. 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, cheesemaker 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 1970's, 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, 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, Kiel; his four children, Diane Gebhart, La Crosse, Wis.; David (Patty) Gebhart, La Crosse, Wis.; Jean (Allen) Patriquin, Portland, Maine; and Lisa (Steve) Black, Edina, Minn. Surviving grandchildren are Tracy (Joe) Schams, La Crosse, Wis.; Robin Gebhart, Eden Prairie, Minn.; Ashley Gebhart, Minneapolis, Minn.; Travis Gebhart, La Crosse, Wis.; David Patriquin and Sarah Patriquin, Portland, Maine; and Charlie Black and Sam Black, Edina, Minn. He is further survived by one sister, Kathleen Chapman, Berlin, Wis.; 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 and 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.
A mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 16, 2008, at Saints Peter and Paul Church in Kiel, with the Rev. Loren Nys officiating. Burial will be in the Kiel Cemetery. Friends may call at the Wieting Funeral Home in Kiel from 4 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, July 15, 2008, and at the church on Wednesday from 9 to 11 a.m.
A memorial fund has been established in the name of Bob Gebhart.
Bob's family would like to thank the Kiel Ambulance Service, St. Nicholas Hospital in Sheboygan, Wis., and the Sharon Richardson Hospice in Sheboygan Falls, Wis.
Online Condolences: www.wietingfuneral
Robert Gebhart 6/28/1928 7/12/2008 Post Crescent 7/14/2008 C 5
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1928 - 2008 (80 years)
Has 2 ancestors and 8 descendants in this family tree.
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Gebhart, Diane Marie
