Robert “Bob” J. Kitzman Sr., age 81 of Clintonville passed away peacefully on Friday morning, October 12, 2018, at his home with his family at his side after a long and courageous battle with Alzheimer’s Disease.
Robert James Kitzman was born on December 28, 1936 in Big Falls as the son of the late Alfred and Jeanette (Pieper) Kitzman. As a young boy he moved with his family to Clintonville where he graduated from high school. On June 14, 1958, Bob was united in marriage to Sharon Bleck at St. Rose Catholic Church in Clintonville where the couple were still faithful members. When he was only 17, Bob enlisted in the U.S. Army National Guard, serving with the Red Arrow Division. He was called to active duty in Fort Lewis, WA during the Berlin Crisis and was discharged after nine years with the rank of Communication Sergeant. Bob started working fresh out of high school for Seagrave FWD. He started by sweeping the floors and in a 25 year span worked his way up to Director of Manufacturing. In his early 40s he left the Drive and worked as a Plant Manager for R.E.& D./Bemis in New London for 20 years where he earned several Presidential Awards from the company for his role in research, engineering and development. Bob retired at age 62 and enjoyed spending time at his cottage where he served as an usher at St. Michael’s Chapel in the Town of Mountain. He served as an Alderman for the City of Clintonville for six years. Bob was a licensed electrician and an excellent gardener. He was a kind hearted man who loved to sing and dance, and was always whistling. Bob was a fan of the Green Bay Packers and Wisconsin Badgers. He loved spending time in the outdoors hunting and fishing with his family and looked forward to spending time with his grandchildren.
Survivors include: his wife, Sharon; daughter, JoAnn (Dan) Keen; son, Robert “Rob” (Brenda) Kitzman Jr.; grandchildren: Misty (Tony) Pickett-Hess, Danny Keen, and Angela Keen; great-granddaughters, Brenna and Isabella Pickett; sisters: Bonnie (Terry) McDermott, Sandra Rettler, Nancy (Dennis) Hack, and Debra (Charles) Elliott. Also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Alfred and Jeanette Kitzman; a sister, Sharon (Bill) Viergutz; father and mother in-law; Eric and Lucille Bleck and brother-in-laws, Terry Rettler and Eric “Butch” Bleck.
Memorial Mass will be held for Bob on Friday, October 19, 2018 at 11 a.m. at St. Rose Catholic Church in Clintonville with Fr. Jack Mullarkey officiating. Inurnment will be at a later date at St. Rose Cemetery in Clintonville. Military honors will be conducted outside of the church following the service by members of the American Legion Post #63, VFW Post #664, and American Legion Auxiliary Unit #63, all of Clintonville. Friends may call at the church on Friday from 10 a.m. until the time of the service. The Eberhardt-Stevenson Funeral Home & Crematory of Clintonville is assisting his family. www.eberhardtstevenson.com
Bob’s family would like to extend their sincerest thank you to Jodi, Suzanne, and Linda at D.E.N. Services, the ER staff at Thedacare Medical Center in Shawano, and Affinity Visiting Nurses; especially Cliff for the wonderful care Bob received.