Robert W. Wartke was born January 12, 1939 in Sheboygan to William and Ella Wartke. He passed
away on Monday, June 19, 2023 at Shores of Sheboygan and will be buried in Lutheran Cemetery.
Robert graduated from Sheboygan Central High in 1957. He was also educated at Jefferson Elementary
and schools in Las Vegas, NV.
Robert was proud to have served in the U.S. Air Force. He gave various jobs a try before starting to tend
bar in 1964 for the Jumes Brothers Mediterranean Room, and then as manager at the Executive Hotel
until 1969. Then Robert sought warmer climes in Las Vegas where he tended bar for various properties
including his favorites, The Dunes Hotel and The Longhorn Casino, where he was bar manager until he
retired in 1999.
Boating and skiing and cars were great past times for Robert but Senior Soft Ball became his passion
after he turned 50. He became the proud possessor of two championship rings while playing outfielder
for the 1994 Skinny Dugans and 2006 Elks. Robert’s tournament travels took him far and wide. He had
some serious wheels and played all out every minute of every game.
In 2006, the injuries from so many years of giving it hell, no matter the sport, mounted up and Robert
retired from softball and returned to Sheboygan. He took up golf, never got very good at it but loved it
anyway. Robert especially had fun with the Tuesday Boys headed by Mike Zwitter and Tom Binder.
“Bobby” as some of the cousins know him, was sentimental about family, and made every effort to stay in
touch and visit. He loved his cousin, Inez Mueller, like a sister and he treated his Aunt Grace like royalty.
Robert leaves behind his daughter, Bobbi Wartke, of Sheboygan Falls, cousins scattered through the
states of Wisconsin, Georgia, Minnesota, and Oklahoma, and a host of friends at St. Paul Lutheran
Church. He will be missed.
A Celebration of Life will he held on Friday, June 23, 2023 at 10:00 AM at Lutheran Cemetery in
Sheboygan.
Please visit our website to share your stories and leave your condolences for the family
www.ballhornchapels.com
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