Dorshorst, Robert J.
Robert James "Bob" Dorshorst, 48 of Almond died unexpectedly on Monday, December 31, 2012 of a heart attack while farming.
He was born on February 5, 1964 in Sherry to Marnis and Betty (Ashbeck) Dorshorst. He married Veronica J. "Vicki" Niewiadomski of Plover on Memorial Day, May 30, 1996.
Born and raised on the family farm, he moved to Unity in the early 1980's and became employed with Lynn Farms for 11 years. His duties included tending calves, doing fieldwork and milking cows and other chores as needed. He learned valuable information and new ways of working in the dairy industry.
Bob moved to Almond in April 1994 when he became employed at Worzalla Publishing Company in Stevens Point for over 5 ½ years. He started on 3rd shift and after six months became a laminator operator for over 4 ½ years. He then became a 1st shift forklift driver for 6 months before finishing his employment with Worzalla Publishing in the fall of 1999.
In between working nights with his wife at Worzalla's they along with their children started dairy farming in April 1996. Starting out with 14 heifer calves, they built up their herd and Bob and Veronica discontinued their jobs to pursue farming full time.
With loving and generous support from family, friends and neighbors and much hard work, Bob built the herd of black and white, and red and white Holsteins to 130 head, including young stock in 16 ½ years.
It was his dream and passion to start his own farm and his dreams came true. With the help of employees the past few years after their children moved on, he and his wife continued to operate the farm. She will continue their passion of being self-employed.
A man with many nicknames such as Bobby, Bobcat, Banker Bob, Ricky Bobby, Roberta, Rod, Farmer and Dear, he loved to snowmobile and drive his 1963 Ford Fairlane collector car. He also enjoyed dancing with his wife, spending time vegetable and flower gardening as well as spending time at his camper with family and friends. Playing cards, board games and pool were also favorite thing to do. Bob loved red solo cup golfing around the campground, his latest pastime in the summer. He was an excellent cook and loved to grill on the open fire for family and friends. Being quite the storyteller, he especially loved to laugh, joke around and be funny and make people around him do the same. He also loved Christmas with loved ones, Farmall Tractors and his Farmall model train. Most importantly, he was always there for his wife to lend a helping hand and spend endless hours providing for her and their family, loving them and their cattle.
Bob is survived by his wife Veronica, two children Jesse Dorshorst of Rockford, IL and Jamie Dorshorst of Stevens Point; 5 grandchildren and his mother Betty Ann Dorshorst of Wisconsin Rapids. He is further survived by his siblings, Thomas (Karen) Dorshorst of Auburndale, Russell (Patti) Dorshorst of Arpin, Daniel (Cindy) Dorshorst of Arpin and Cindy (Larry) Lang of Blenker.
Bob was preceded in death by his father Sonny Dorshorst.
Visitations will be from 2-6pm on Thursday, January 3, 2013, at the Martens/Rembs Funeral Home in Junction City.
Condolences may be sent online to www.rembsfh.com
Published in Stevens Point Journal on Jan. 2, 2013
