Robert Henry Baumann, 88, of Wausau, passed away Sunday morning, Nov. 2, 2014, at Lakeview Heights, Mount View Care Center, Wausau.
He was born at home in Wausau on Dec. 20, 1925, to Henry and Ida (Gralow) Baumann, the youngest of four children.
Known to many as Bob, he graduated mid-term from Wausau High School in 1944, enlisting in the United States Navy. He served on a destroyer tender in the South Pacific. Following discharge, Bob returned to Wausau and worked at Marathon Corporation, American Can Company and James River Corporation to retire in 1987 after 42 years.
Following a roller skating/motorcycle riding courtship, Bob and Delores “Do Do” Kasten were married June 25, 1949, in Iron Mountain, Mich. They were the parents of five children and lived in a home Bob built for his family.
Generous with his time, Bob was always willing to give a helping hand. He worked with family and friends on several home building and re-roofing projects.
A life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Burns Post No. 388, Wausau, Bob helped with the construction of the new post building on River Drive. He was a member of the Post Honor Guard and enjoyed his stints working at the Post’s fair stand for many years.
An outdoorsman, Bob and family split their weeks with regular weekends at the cottage on Two Sisters Lake in Oneida County, where he did his share of hunting and fishing.
One of his greatest pleasures was “making wood.” A chance to fell trees and split the logs to fill the wood shed would make him beam.
As an extension of his love for the outdoors, the family made many camping adventures traveling out West, up “Nort” and around Wisconsin.
Bob is survived by his wife of 65 years, Delores; and his children, Carol Baumann, Merrill, John (Diane), Green Bay, Grace (William) Freitag, Schofield, James (Rita), Manitowoc, and Mark (Shelia Butler), Neenah; eight grandchildren, Gregory and Amanda Baumann, Kristin (Juan) Romero, Jordan (Charo) Kopidlandsky, Taylor Kopidlandsky, Brett and Sheena Butler and Krystal Leon; and 12 great-grandchildren, Evan and Isabella Romero, Calleigh and Landon Kopidlandsky, Monica, J.J., Quinten, Alex and Serenity Butler, Shelia and Lucia Leon and Anya Wilson.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Alvin; and two sistes, Ella (Milton) Schmitt and Nina (Myron) Schiefelbein.
Funeral services will be at noon on Friday, Nov. 7, at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth St., Wausau. Rev. Philip Bogen will officiate. Burial will be in Pine Grove Cemetery, Wausau, with full military honors conducted the Veterans of Foreign Wars Burns Post No. 388, Wausau. Friends may call on Friday from 10 a.m. until time of services at the funeral home.
Bob’s family also wishes to extend its sincere thanks and blessings to the staff at Lakeview Heights. Your friendship, superb care and genuine concern for Bob and his family prove there truly are angels among us.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.