Robert G. "Bob" Frankowiak

I never knew Robert but always admired his work, like this illustration that he did for Muskies Inc. Magazine

Bob was a good friend of my father, Tony Miller. I knew Bob long ago, when my parents lived in the basement apartment below Ziggy and Clara, Bob's parents, and I grew up knowing Bob. He was a great man with superb talent, but he also was a good friend to the entire Miller family, and we will all miss him. I will pray for you, Judye, and for your family, that you be comforted in your grief. Know that Bob will always be with you; eternity is just around the corner, out of sight.

Mr. Frankowiak painted a picture of a deer standing in snow for my Uncle Ken (Palubicki) many, many years ago as a birthday present and he still has it to this date. It is hanging in his bedroom in Florida. I remember the Frankowiak family from Milwaukee's South Side when I was just a little girl and enjoyed seeing his work at the Museum. Such a talented man!

Bob Frankowiak was a very talented self-trained wildlife artist, and an amazing observer of the natural world. In his 35 years with the Milwaukee Public Museum he traveled to many worldwide locations to study, sketch and photograph their natural environments for scheduled diorama production. Bob then created the artistic landscape backgrounds for those dioramas painting convincing portraits of special places in time, with an intuitive sense of color, light and atmosphere.

Bob was...

My heartfelt condolences, Judye! You and Bob and so many others of MPM--live in the good-memories-bank of my life with you at the Milwaukee Public Museum. Blessings and good memories be healing to all who miss you!

And in your artistic contributions, you leave us part of yourself!

Peace and good courage!