Robert (Bob) Norman Czech was born on August 21, 1933 in Merrill, WI. He passed away on Friday, June 14, 2013 at his home in the Town of Hamburg surrounded by his family.
He graduated from Athens High School with the class of 1951. He attended North Central Technical College and worked at Fromm Brothers, Inc. in Hamburg, WI while awaiting the draft. Bob served for two years in the U.S. army, stationed in Korea. When he returned, he promptly married the love of his life, Beth Louise Winter, on September 14, 1957. Bob and Beth owned and operated RC Mink Ranch in Hamburg for over 40 years. The ranch was a thriving family business.
Bob embodied Jesus’ example of service and leadership throughout his life. He was a leader in the ranching industry and served on the Board of Directors for several organizations including the Wisconsin Fur Breeder’s Association, The Great Lakes Mink Association, The Seattle Fur Exchange/American Legend, and the National Board of Fur Farm Organizations. Bob also served as an advisor on the mink advisory council for the WI Department of Agriculture. For 23 years, Bob served as Director at Fidelity National Bank, in Medford, WI. Bob was a founding member of the Hamburg-Berlin Lions Club. He has served as a summer volunteer with TeenServe missions since 2000. Bob enjoyed traveling with his family, and had been a member of the Family Motor Coach Association for over 20 years. This included four chapters in FMCA, namely Wisconsin Voyagers, Newmar International, Spartan International and Coaches for Christ.
Bob was a lifetime member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Hamburg, WI where he had served as congregational president, secretary, elder, and trustee throughout the years. His rich life was marked by his strong faith in Jesus Christ which is clearly evidenced in those he left behind.
He is survived by his wife, Beth, his three children and their spouses, The Rev. Daniel (Diana) Czech (Greenfield, WI), Mark (Dawn) Czech (Hamburg, WI), and Lori (Jeffery) LaBelle (Holcombe, WI); his eight grandchildren and their spouses; Matthew (Tabitha) LaBelle, Jaclyn (Christopher) Uttecht, Adam (Tameka) Czech, Daniel Czech, Erik Czech, Stephan (Amberleigh) Czech, Timothy Czech, and Andrew Czech; his seven great-grandchildren; Isaiah, Jeremiah, Natalie, and Nathanael LaBelle, and Anna, Jaden, and Micah Uttecht; his brothers and sister and their spouses, Richard (Ellen) Czech, David (Barbara) Czech, Marjorie (Lawrence) Radenz, and sister-in-law Frances Czech. He is celebrating in heaven with his father and mother, Henry and Katharine (Dorn) Czech, his father and mother-in-law, The Rev. Louis and Frances Winter, brother Gerald Czech, sister and brother-in-law Lloyd and Marlene Hamann, and great-grandson, Zechariah LaBelle.
“Praise the Lord, O my soul, all my inmost being, praise His holy name…who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” Psalm 103: 1-5
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, June 17, 2013 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Hamburg. The Rev. Jim Klug will officiate. Visitation will be from 3-6 p.m., Sunday, June 16, 2013 at Waid Funeral Home. Burial will follow in St. John’s Cemetery, Hamburg. The family would like to thank Aspirus Comfort Care Hospice for their kind care and Waid Funeral Home who is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.waidfuneral.com. Memorials may be given to St. John’s Lutheran Church, Hamburg.