Robert Plisch

Robert Plisch, 96, passed away July 16, 2017 at Stone Crest Residence. He was born June 16, 1921 to the late Walter and Eleanor (Braun) Plisch and grew up on a farm in the Town of Rib Falls. He attended Athens High School and 1st University of Wisconsin Extension classes, held at Horace Mann and staffed by traveling University professors. He went on to attend the University of Madison. Bob was drafted into the Army during WWII and served in the Counter Intelligence Corps in Europe. He later worked at Wausau Papers for 42 years, having traveled all over the U.S. as the Quality Control Director at the time of his retirement. Bob married Mildred Hahn in 1945 and had 2 children, 5 grandchildren, and 7 great-grandchildren. He enjoyed camping in their trailer when the children were growing up-mostly in Northern Wisconsin. The family also took long camping trips through the Western states and Canada. They also took trips to North Carolina, Texas, Oklahoma, and New York to visit relatives. After the children left home, and into his retirement, Mildred and Bob liked to bowl, golf, cross country ski, and travel. Most memorably, they traveled to Europe 3 times to visit friends and relatives and go on tours. They also traveled to the Bahamas, Hawaii and Mexico and toured the New England and Western states. Bob was very active and would run 3-5 miles daily until he reached the age of 70. Later in life, he exercised daily, doing some light weight training and water exercise in swimming pools to keep his arthritis under control. Bob spent several years being a fulltime caregiver for Mildred, who passed January 11, 2005. Over the years, he taught Sunday School, served on Church Council, was a Cub Scout leader, Asst. Scout Master, was active in PTA, and was a Member of Golden Kiwanis Club- having helped with the United Way drive, mailings for the UW Extension, bell-ringing for Salvation Army, an annual picnic for the mentally disabled and a New Year's Eve bingo party at Mount View Nursing Home. He enjoyed volunteering at Adult Day Care center and loved the participants and excellent staff. Bob graduated from the School for Lay Ministry and assisted the church with services and visited shut-ins. He loved to listen to music, especially oldies from the 30's, 40's and 50's, as well as jazz and classical music. He enjoyed reading, doing crossword puzzles, and spending time on the computer. He especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, especially their school activities baseball, soccer, basketball, volleyball, and scouting activities. He also enjoyed spending time with his great-grandchildren, taking pictures of them with a digital camera and then printing those photos. Bob is survived by his children; Suzanne (Frank) Koerten, Wausau; David Plisch, Weston; 5 grandchildren; Sarah (Terry) Brown, Wausau; Ryan Plisch, Wausau; Matthew (Annette) Koerten, Wauwatosa; Christie (Nat) Gill Haiku, HI; Luke (Betsy) Koerten, Helena, MN; and 7 great-grandchildren Patrick, Elise, Anna Brown, Ireland Plisch, Julien Koerten, Sam Gill, Oliver Koerten. He is preceded in death by his wife, Mildred, parents, and sister, Carol Henninger. A Funeral Service will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, July 20, 2017 at Pilgrim Lutheran Church, 709 Weston Avenue, Wausau. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at the church. Brainard Funeral Home and Cremation Center - Wausau Chapel, is assisting the family with arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Pilgrim Lutheran Church and Homme Home/Stone Crest Residence. Bob loved his family very much and was so proud of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was a sweet, kind, and caring person who loved life. He will be deeply missed by his family and all who knew him! The family would like to thank all the CNA's, nurses, and hospice nurses who cared for Bob, especially the staff at Stonecrest Residence for their heartfelt care and compassion.