Robert J. (Bob) Kober passed away on May 3, 2023. He was 69 years old. Bob was born on June 30, 1953 at Sheboygan Memorial Hospital to Helen (Gunther) & Harold E. Kober. His grandparents were Dr. Theodore & Minnie Gunther and Alex & Margaret Kober. Bob was a member of St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, where he served on the Board of Education, coached girl’s basketball, and with his wife, Sue, served on the Activities Committee for almost 30 years. Bob went to St. Dominic’s grade school and graduated from Sheboygan North High School in 1971. Bob was employed for 45 years at Kohler Company, 12 years in the Pottery Division and retired from the Generator Division in 2017. He was a member of the Kohler Quarter Century Club.
Bob married Deborah Jo Burkhardt in 1973 and was blessed with three “Super Children” Stephanie, Bob, and Brian. After they divorced, the Lord blessed Bob and his children, as they met Susan (Bitter) Hering and her daughter Lisa. They were united in marriage on June 20, 1986 to become a blended family. They enjoyed 36 years of marriage together and were blessed with 13 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. As Bob always says, “I truly am blessed and thankful to have my family and friends being a special part of my life”. Bob always reminded Sue how special she was as she received flowers and a poem written by Bob for Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, their anniversary, Sue’s birthday, Sweetest Day December 14th (the day they were engaged), and Christmas. Bob’s childhood evolved around sports, baseball, and Legion Park. Bob followed in his grandfather’s footsteps by working his way through the many leagues of baseball in Sheboygan. At age 16, Bob became interested in softball and gave that a try. From that day forth Bob and softball were a team. Bob did for softball as his grandpa did for baseball. Bob played 2 years before the Sheboygan Softball Association (SSA) was born. Bob played 42 years of softball. Bob was involved in the SSA’s infancy, remembering when the complex was built in 1974. In 1978, Bob was elected to the SSA’s board of directors. He received the SSA’s Presidential Award and Sheboygan Diamond Club Award for community service. Bob was on the board for 30 years, 5 years as vice president and 15 years as president. In 1994, Bob was inducted into the Wisconsin United States Slow Pitch Hall of Fame. As president he founded the Sheboygan Softball Hall of Fame in 2000. Together Bob and Sue were involved with the SSA board, concession management, and were inducted in 2006 into the Sheboygan Softball Hall of Fame.
Bob had many other passions besides softball. Bob enjoyed traveling to their favorite casinos with Sue, Barb, and Joel, hosting and attending many Brewer, Badger, and Packer travel trips. His favorite pastime was going to Green Bay with his black Sharpies and micro helmets ready to collect autographs and grow his collection. Bob’s biggest passion was his family; he enjoyed watching his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren through their sports, school, and church activities. Most of all, Bob looked forward to getting the entire group together for the family Christmas every year.
Bob is survived by his wife Sue, their children Steph Kober of Racine, Robert II (Patience) of Luana, IA, Brian (Felicia) Kober of Prairie Du Chien, and Lisa (Brian) Wiercinski of Fond Du Lac. Grandchildren Deejae (Dashon) Harvey, Jaecee Kober, Paige (Donald) Shawgo, Brittney, Bobby III Kober, Hannah, Summer Schutte, Bradley, Faith, Collin, Adam Kober, Morgan, Allison Wiercinski. Great-grandchildren Jordyn, Jaedyn, Kobee, Stephon, Samaree, Skyler, Delilah, Kolten, Hailey, and Lukas-Owen. Sisters Barb (David) Hansen, Anne Pietkiewicz, and brother Tom (Lori) Kober. He is further survived by brothers-in-law Merlin Klemme and David (Robin Edler-fiance) Bitter, very close friends and travel partners, Barb & Joel Messner, and many other family and friends.
Bob is preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, sisters, Cathy Kober, and Mary Klemme, father-in-law Melvin Bitter, mother-in-law Janet Bitter, brothers-in-law, William Pietkiewicz, Gene Bitter, and Gary Bitter.
Visitation will be held on Monday, May 8, 2023 at Zimmer Westview, W2132 Garton Road, Howards Grove, WI 53083 from 4pm-7pm and Tuesday, May 9, 2023 at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 441 Millersville Ave, Howards Grove, WI 53083 from 9:30am to the time of service at 11:00am. He will be laid to rest in St. Paul’s Cemetery.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the doctors and staff at Aurora Medical Center Sheboygan, especially Elif and Alyssa in ICU.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Bob’s name can be made to St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Howards Grove.
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