Robert Martin Semrau

1925 - 2024

Robert Martin Semrau died in his home surrounded by his family on Oct. 24, 2024. He was 98.

Bob, as he was known to everyone, was quiet, kind, loving, accepting, sensitive, strong, tireless and active until his final days. He was also a devout family man. There was nothing more that Bob cared for in his life than his family.

Bob was born on Dec. 24, 1925 to Gert Miller and David Boriello, but due to a complex family background, he was adopted by his aunt and uncle Elizabeth and George Semrau, whom he regarded as his parents.

Bob married the love of his life, Barbara Lois Revoir, on Aug. 19, 1950 at St. Mary's Church in Meriden, Conn. Together the couple raised their three children Kathleen, Eileen and Robert.

Throughout the years, Bob was always there to listen and provide guidance to his children and grandchildren. His quiet and patient demeanor coupled with his logic and reason helped provide tranquility and a calming influence for all those around him even in the most trying and difficult of times.

Bob served his country honorably as a member of the 71st Infantry Division of the Third Army under General George S. Patton. In the course of his service to his country, Bob earned many medals, which included the Good Conduct Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with two bronze service stars, World War II Victory Medal, Army of Occupation Medal with Germany clasp, Combat Infantryman Badge 1st Award, Honorable Service Lapel Button WWII, Sharpshooter Badge with Carbine Bar and Marksman Badge with Rifle Bar. He was also awarded the Bronze Star; the third most prestigious medal awarded to a member of the military. However, the medal Bob was most proud of was his Combat Infantryman's Badge.

It was in Germany during the war that Bob found what would be his life's occupation when he was taught how to cut hair. When he returned home, he began working in a barber shop in Meriden before opening Bob's Barber Shop on East Main Street in 1952. Bob operated the barber shop in Meriden for 37 years before he and Barbara moved to Townshend in 1982 where he opened The Townshend Barber Shop off a portion of the home the couple resided in where he practiced his craft for another 30 years before giving his final haircut in July of 2012.

Shortly after the move to Townshend, Barbara opened a daycare center, which she ran out of the couple's residence. When he didn't have customers, Bob would help care for the children, exhibiting many of the same character traits towards them and their families that made him beloved by his own. His dry, and sometimes sarcastic, wit brought levity and he enjoyed affectionately teasing those he cared for the most.

Bob also liked to garden and took great pride in maintaining the property he lived on well into his 90s. He would often be seen working early in the morning by anyone passing by. He was also an expert carpenter and built many structures on the property including a covered bridge that sat on the back portion of the property for a number of years.

Throughout his life, Bob demonstrated a thirst for knowledge. He kept abreast of both national events and politics as well as the events within the state of Vermont and the community in which he lived. He was also a historian, often watching documentaries and learning the histories of the communities in which he lived, both in Vermont and Connecticut.

He is survived by his three children, Kathleen Mills of Townshend and her husband Gus, Eileen Kokoszka of Sommers, Conn., and her husband William and his son Robert of Crestwood, KY and his wife Nancy; his brother Larry Bates and his wife Rita of Meriden, Conn., his sister Dottie Morello of Spring Hill, Fla., his sister Cathy Russo of Middletown, Conn., and his sister-in-law Carol Semrau of Meriden, Conn. He is also survived by his eight grandchildren: Kelly and Brandon Canevari, Matthew, Martin and Daniel Kokoszka and Sabre, Seren and Staja Semrau. He also leaves behind five great-grandchildren: Ayden and Tristan Kokoszka, Jacob Nealy and Mackenzie and Noah Kokoszka and nieces. He was predeceased by his brothers George Semrau and Harry Bates and his sister Betty Lisitano.

Graveside services with military honors will be conducted Tuesday, Oct. 29, at 1 p.m. in the family lot at Oakwood Cemetery in Townshend. To send messages of e-condolences to the family, please visit www.atamaniuk.com.