Robert Joseph “Bob” Nickodem, Sr., age 90, of Sheboygan, passed away Saturday,
June 27, 2020. Born August 9, 1929 in Seymour, WI, to the late Theodore (Ted) and
Clara (Kiedinger) Nickodem, he attended school in Seymour and graduated
Valedictorian from Central Catholic High School in Green Bay. He went on to graduate
from the University of Notre Dame with a Bachelor of Science and Accounting Degree
and was Valedictorian of his class in 1951.
After graduating, Bob was employed by the Robert W. Baird Investment firm in
Milwaukee for six months before entering the U.S. Army in 1952. While stationed in
New Brunswick, Canada, Bob met his beloved bride-to-be, Margaret Moran of
Dumbarton, Scotland. He served through to his honorable discharge in 1954.They were
married July 1,1953 and he was honorably discharged in 1954. Margaret and Bob
raised a family of eight children. Margaret preceded Bob in death on March 24,1996.
Bob began his career with the former Security First National Bank in Sheboygan in 1954
with the trust department, retiring in 1994 as Senior vice President and Trust Officer. He
had been president of the Sheboygan Economics Club and president of the Wisconsin
Trustees Association.
Active in the community, Bob was involved in various civic organizations including: The
United Way; Kettle Moraine Council of the Boy Scouts, Sheboygan County Chamber.
He served on the board of Camp Evergreen, Sheboygan Jaycees and named Jaycee of
the Year; Chairman of the United Way Campaign; Downtown Rotary where he received
the distinguished Good Citizenship Award, and was also a Paul Harris Fellow. He
served on the Town of Sheboygan Board, was a member of the Sheboygan Yacht Club,
and a past president of Pine Hills Golf & Country Club, where he was an active golfer,
achieving two holes in one.
Bob was a voracious reader appreciating the Sheboygan Public Library as well as life-
enriching travel, playing golf courses around the world including the links of Scotland
and Ireland, plus a few brief winter retreats to warmer climes.
A committed man of faith, he was a member of St. Clement Catholic Church where he
attended Mass, served as a trustee for twelve years, along with being a member of the
finance committee. Bob Nickodem and Family and Maureen Yanko and Family
individually celebrated Funeral Mass Celebrations of Life for deceased spouses in St.
Clement Church. On Valentine’s Day, February 14, 1998, Robert Joseph Nickodem
married Maureen McKinnon Yanko in St. Clement Church filled to capacity.
Surviving Bob is wife, Maureen; Four sons, Dr. Robert (Janie) Jr. Mentor, OH; Michael
(Catherine) Manhattan, NY; Kevin (Ann) Chapel Hill, NC; Patrick (Jackie) Lexington, KY.
Three daughters, Dr. Anne (Andrew) Don, McClean, VA; Moya (Brad) Belcaster,
LaGrange, IL; Sheila (Daniel) Shalev, Bryn Maur, PA.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Margaret; daughter, Margaret Mary
Nickodem; sister, Rita Nickodem; and step-mother, Louella Valentine Nickodem.
There are twenty-two Nickodem grandchildren and eight great grandchildren: Moya
Nickodem Dacey, Robert III (Bobby), & Alex; Kyle, Kelly Nickodem Rehberg, Patrick,
Moran Nickodem Barnes; Andrew, Megan, Christian, Alex Don; Ben Belcaster, Moya
Belcaster Hash; Aviel, Talia, Zahi, and Jacob Shalev.
Extended family survivors include: Jay Yanko, New Berlin, WI; Stephanie (Rich) Yanko-
Olszewski, Gibsonia, P.A. Grandchildren: Hope, Jack, Michael, Sophia Olszewski, and
Scott James Yanko. Sisters-in-law, Rosemary McKinnon Sheridan Ferris, Northridge,
CA; Patricia McKinnon (John) Hancock, Marion, Iowa.
With respect to health safety protocol with Covid-19, a private Mass of Christian Burial
limited to family will be celebrated later in July by Rev. Fr. Matthew Widder with
internment in Calvary Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, a Memorial fund in the Name of Robert J. Nickodem has been
established.
The Nickodem Family and extended family wishes to acknowledge the steadfast,
compassionate care from Staff at Sheboygan Senior Care; St. Clement Parish Ministry
Group; Sheboygan Noon rotary, US employees; Veterans Honor Ceremony for years of
service; and devoted friends who contributed so much to Bob’s quality of life.
