Robert Andringa

Andringa, Robert

Robert "Bob" Lewis Andringa, age 88, of Wausau, passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 13, 2015, at North Central Health Care's Evergreen Place in Wausau, with family by his side. Bob was born on January 31, 1927, in Sparta, Wisconsin, to the late Abe and Mary (O'Neil) Andringa.

Bob enlisted in the Army in 1945 to serve his country in World War II. He then re-enlisted and later served overseas during the Korean War. After his military service, Bob worked several jobs before beginning employment with the City of Wausau/Marathon County Parks Department in 1954 and then the City of Wausau Water Department, for a combined 35 years, retiring in 1989. During his years of employment he also ran a successful tree trimming/stumping business, beginning with a hand-held stumping machine he designed and made himself.

For many years Bob worked tirelessly for the greater Wausau community. He was a volunteer firefighter for Rib Mountain, a member of the Rib Mountain School Board, and served from 1980 to 1987 on the Wausau Board of Education, including as President. He was actively involved in leading youth organizations his sons were involved in, such as Little League and Boy Scouts, and also youth hockey. He served on the United Way Board of Directors, Community Development Authority, and School-to-Work Council at Northcentral Technical College, Marathon County. He was also a long-time active member of VFW Burns Post #388.

Despite his diverse community involvement, Bob was known mainly as a labor leader. He was instrumental in helping form the AFSCME Local 1287 labor union for Wausau city employees in 1959-60. He served as president of that union for over 20 years and remained actively involved throughout his employment and well beyond. He served as vice president of the Marathon County Labor Council and as a member of the Labor Temple Association and Labor Day Parade Committee. In 1989 he founded Sub-Chapter 115 of the American Federation of State/County Municipal Employees for retirees and served as chair. He was chosen as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1976 and again in 1980 and was chairman of the 7th Congressional District People's Committee. At age 68, he was chosen as "Citizen of the Year" by local labor leaders. He summed up his many accomplishments by saying, "Maybe just that I could help people in some way or other."

Bob enjoyed camping and fishing up north with his family and friends. In his later years he took up woodworking, making various creations for his family. He especially looked forward to relaxed times spent with his sons and grandchildren. Bob was a devout member of the Lutheran faith.

Bob is survived by his five sons that he had with Delores (Kemps) Andringa, Wausau: Michael (June), Plano, Texas; Richard (Karla Dombrowski),Wausau; Peter (Miki), Cottage Grove WI; Robert "Rob" (Carolyn), Mosinee, WI; Todd (Cherie), Chippewa Falls, WI; his siblings: Margaret Eddy (Richard), Sparta, WI; Josephine Arnold (Robert), Pueblo, CO; and Joseph, Kenosha, WI; his grandchildren: Matthew (Hayley), Austin, TX; Leslie Andringa, Plano, TX; Jeremy (Holly), Hortonville WI; Steven (Carrie), Chippewa Falls, WI; Stacey Schleismann (Mike), Zionsville, IN; Christina Andringa and Teresa Jones (Ben), Boynton Beach, FL; Robert (Stephanie), Palm Bay, FL; Erika Albrecht, Marathon, WI; and Tanya Albrecht, Brentwood, TN. He is also survived by 11 great grandchildren and four great great grandchildren. Bob, Dad, Grandpa will be greatly missed.

Besides his parents, Bob was preceded in death by siblings Charles, Grace Heimke, Mary Lou Garske, Philip, his granddaughter Jessica Andringa and his long-time companion Carol Bolzak.

The family wishes to express special thanks and deep appreciation to the staff and volunteers of NCHC Legacies by the Lake for their loving care, compassion, and support in Bob's last years, and for the support of Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Service in his final days.

Funeral services will be Noon on Friday, December 18, 2015 at the Helke Funeral Home, 302 Spruce St., Wausau. Reverend Gary Froseth will officiate. Burial will follow at Restlawn Memorial Park, Wausau with full military honors presented by the VFW Burns Post #388. Visitation will be Friday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of services at the funeral home. You may sign our family guest book at helke.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in honor of Bob may be directed to North Central Health Care's Legacies by the Lake.