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Robert Rossmiller Obituary
Mr. Robert (Bob) Rossmiller of Stevens Point passed away on Friday, September 16, 2016 at the age of 95. Bob was born June 16, 1921, the fourth child of Melvin (Bud) and Mary (Gruno) Rossmiller. He grew up on a farm in Honey Creek, WI before moving to East Troy, WI with his family in 1928. He graduated from East Troy High School in 1939 as the class valedictorian. Bob attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison and graduated Phi Beta Kappa with degrees in Spanish and Education in 1943. He remained at Madison for an additional year to complete his Master of Arts degrees in History and Spanish. In the fall of 1944 Bob entered the teaching profession as a History instructor at Merrill High School, and later added Spanish and counseling to his duties. In 1946, Bob took a three year hiatus from teaching to serve as a Field Scout Executive for the Samoset Council Boy Scouts of America. He then returned to Merrill High School to teach, yet scouting would also remain a passion throughout the remainder of his life.
In 1965 Bob joined the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point as their first Financial Aid Director. In 1968 he returned to UW-Madison to complete his PhD with a specialty in Gifted Education. From 1969 until his retirement in 1987 Bob taught at UWSP in the Education Department, mentoring countless future teachers and pioneering Gifted and Talented education programs nationwide.
Bob married the love of his life, Elaine Marie Broeren from Thorp, WI on December 29, 1951. They had 5 children and 12 grandchildren. Elaine preceded him in death along with daughter Kathryn Bentley and son-in-law Robert (Mitch) Lechelt. He is survived by daughters Linda (Mike) Trzebiatowski and Ann Lechelt; by sons Jon and Charles (Toni) Rossmiller; and by 12 grandchildren: Neal (Courtney) Bentley, Leah Bentley, Brian Bentley, Susie (Mike) Schlicting, Jon Trzebiatowski, Will Rossmiller, Sam Rossmiller, Molly Lechelt, Ben Rossmiller, Abe Rossmiller, Jack Rossmiller and GraceAnn Rossmiller and 4 great-grandchildren. He also leaves behind dear friends John (Marilynn) Bernd and care taker Judy (Rick) Rogers.
Services are planned for Saturday, September 24, 2016 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church (formerly St. Stan's) 838 Fremont Street, Stevens Point, WI. Visitation will be at the church from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. with the funeral to follow. A celebration of Bob's life will be held at The Dreyfus University Center, 1015 Reserve Street (Laird Conference Room) from Noon to 2 p.m.
In lieu of flowers please honor Bob with memorials to the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Foundation: Rossmiller Family Future Teacher Scholarship Fund or the BSA Samoset Council: Camp Tesomas Memorials Fund.
Cremation Society of Wisconsin, Altoona is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be shared at www.cremationsociety-wi.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Robert Rossmiller
Sponsored by the Stevens Point Journal.
3 Entries
Constance & Marc Fang
September 22, 2016
News of Bob's passing have greatly surprised and saddened us as we have known him for half a century. Bob and Marc were class-mates at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and he was the one who brought us to the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. As our first friends in Stevens Point, Bob and Elaine helped us get settled and many of their friends became our friends. Bob was a straight shooter and Marc enjoyed getting his opinion/advice, especially on important matters, even long after both of them had retired. We appreciated his encouragement and support of the Foreign Student Program and the Portage County Cultural Festival. While we will no longer have the pleasure of interacting with this uncommonly good man when we visit Stevens Point, we celebrate our years of friendship and shall hold in our hearts treasured memories of our time together.
Roger Goodland
September 22, 2016
Bob was one of the Samoset Council leaders of a 1948 State Centennial Boy Scout canoe trip down the Wisconsin River from Nekoosa to Prairie du Chien that I participated in as a 14 year old Scout. I lived in Stevens Point then and Clay Blaisdel was my Scoutmaster. It was called the Prairie du Chien Adventure. It was a grueling but memorable experience that I could never forget. Thank you, Bob.
Roger Goodland
[email protected]
Leah Bentley
September 20, 2016
Family Stories, trips up north, fuzzies, his magic in the kitchen (Elephant Ears, Fat Noodles, homemade jam and bread, Christmas cookies) and walking away feeling more knowledgeable after delightfully long conversations because I would always learn about something new
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