Robert (Bob) Winter

Robert (Bob) G. Winter, 84, passed onto eternal life, April 20, 2021, holding the hand of his beloved wife of 63 years, Faith (Fay).

He was born on October 23, 1936 to the late Chester and Doris (Luedtke) Winter. He attended grade school in Wausau, WI and then moved to San Bernadino, CA with his family where he graduated high school.

Bob came back to Wausau during his high school summer breaks. It was during the summer of 1954, that he met Fay Vladick. They were married in Wausau on April 27, 1957, and would have celebrated their 64th anniversary this year.

He worked at Wausau Insurance for 37 years before retiring.

Bob placed his faith in Jesus Christ. He was an active member of St. Anne Catholic Parish in Wausau, serving as a Eucharistic Minister. He also helped his church with its annual polka fest, delivered baskets to local food pantries, and served as a fish fry volunteer. He was a third-degree member of the Knights of Columbus.

He pitched for the Wausau Bakers, a semi-pro team and played on several baseball, basketball and softball teams throughout the Wausau area for many years.

His love of athletics and competition led him to answer an ad in his church bulletin for a 4th, 5th & 6th grade basketball coaching position at St. Anne’s. “I’d thought I’d give it a try,” he said. He won his first 69 games and finished with a 145-16 record. More than the importance of winning, Bob taught his players fundamentals, discipline, and an unselfish team play. Many of those he mentored went on to become coaches themselves. He enjoyed the meetings and camaraderie his time in athletics brought him. He never stopped coaching.

His family was an important part of his life. He attended as many events of his children and grandchildren as possible. He loved to watch his children and grandchildren play in sporting events and would offer them advice and encouragement throughout each game.

He is survived by his beloved wife Fay, his five children: Daniel (Sheila) Winter, John (Michelle) Winter, Julie (Greg) Heil, Joseph (Michelle) Winter, and David (Melanie) Winter; seventeen grandchildren: Jennifer (Justin) Hess, Mark (Sarah) Winter, Sam Winter, Grace Winter, Zach (Emily) Heil, Kaylee, Meghan, and Allayna Heil, Jacob Stencil, Makenzie, Madeline, Nicholas, and Maxwell Winter, Olivia, Sophia, Victoria, and Magnolia Winter; three great grandchildren: Aiden and Malaina Hess, and Adalynn Wilson Winter. He is further survived by one brother: Terry (Karen) Winter, two sisters: Barbara Stewart and Yvonne (Jay) Mokry, one sister-in-law: Aural Umhoefer and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Chester and Doris (Luedtke) Winter; one infant brother, James and two brothers in law: Donald Stewart and Paul Umhoefer.

The funeral mass will be celebrated on Monday April 26, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. at St. Anne Parish in Wausau, WI. Visitation will be at St. Anne Parish from 12:00 – until the time of the service. The burial will be at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Wausau, WI. Memorials can be made to St. Anne Parish, Aspirus Hospice House, and St. Jude Hospital in Memphis, TN.

The Winter family would like to thank the many doctors, nurses, care givers, and staff that helped Bob throughout the years. Your kindness and loving care of Bob and our family is deeply appreciated.

Brainard Funeral Home – Wausau Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements.

Online condolences may be shared at www.brainardfuneral.com