Name: Visitation for Robert "Fish" Fishelson
Start: 2018-11-07T21:00:00.000Z
End: 2018-11-08T01:00:00.000Z
Location: Zacherl Funeral Home - Fond du Lac

Robert "Fish" Fishelson

Fond du Lac - Lifelong Fond du Lac resident, Robert "Fish" Fishelson, a well-known businessman and friend to all, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on November 3rd, 2018 at the age of 81.

Bob was born in Fond du Lac on August 11th, 1937 and was a pillar of the community his entire life. He attended UW Madison until his father became ill, requiring him to return to the area and assume part ownership of Badger Liquor Company upon the death of his father. He was devoted to the company until his retirement at the age of 72.

Bob met his soul mate and love of his life, Cheryn (Cheri) Budjac while running lights and sound for the Miss Fond du Lac Pageant of which she was a contestant. He married Miss Fond du Lac April 5th, 1969. They have three children; Robecca Kuber (Vince), Michael Fishelson (Trinity), and Daniel Fishelson (Jessica LaBrasseur). He has one grandbuddy Odin Robert, son of Daniel and Jessica. Preceding Bob in death were his parents, Irving and Leone Fishelson.

Bob was actively involved in the community, participating as a member in: Amateur Radio Relay League, REACT, Isaac Walton League, Rocky Mountain Elk Club, Green Lake Association, Green Lake Conservancy, Ducks Unlimited, Wildwings, Sturgeon for Tomorrow, South Hills, and Temple Beth Israel. He coached Little League baseball and was active in Fond du Lac Softball. He was an officer in: the Fond du Lac Jaycees, Noon Rotary, Elks, FDL County Emergency Management, Fondy Vettes, Fondy Snow Flyers, PTO, Fond du Lac Sports Car Club, and Sports Car Club of America. One of Bob's proudest achievements was being an active member of Noon Rotary, where he served as president and received the Paul Harris Fellowship Award, Rotary's highest honor.

Bob loved cars and prided himself in driving unusual racy sports vehicles. He owned fifteen new modified racing Corvettes. He was often on the Road America track or competing in sports car rallies and ice trials, usually winning. He was also instrumental in starting local sports car clubs; the Fondy Vettes and Fond du Lac Sports Car Club, and has trophies and awards to show his expertise. Bob's love of speed and machinery carried over to snow. He was influential in starting the Fondy Snow Flyers Club and raced modified snowmobiles on trails and ice.

Bob was an avid outdoorsman, car enthusiast, and amateur radio (ham) operator. He was the Emergency Coordinator for the Fond du Lac County Emergency Management Center where he was an avid ham radio operator and responder, being first on the scene with his radio to establish safety. He hammed with people all over the world for pleasure but often was the only source of communication during disasters, patching communications together in the days before cell phones. Bob was proud of his radio room, having walls plastered with QSL cards.

Bob was a devoted husband and father and enjoyed volleyball, bowling, and golf, participating in couples leagues with his wife. Family was his priority. Bob prided himself on passing his passion and knowledge to his children and proudly supported all of their endeavors.

There were no boundaries to Bob's friendship. He was simply a friend to all and he silently supported anyone who asked. He wanted to be sure everyone around him was enjoying life and often said, "Just as long as you're having fun."

Bob lived a full and happy life, surrounded by family and many friends who know his final farewell would be, "SEE YOU LIQUOR!" with a big smile and aggressive handshake.

Visitation: Bob's family will greet relatives and friends for a time of visitation at Zacherl Funeral Home, 875 E. Division Street, Fond du Lac, on Wednesday, November 7th, 2018 from 3:00 to 7:00 PM.

Services: A funeral service will be held on Thursday, November 8th, 2018 at 12:00 PM at Temple Beth Israel, 149 E. Division Street, Fond du Lac and then continue, graveside at Rienzi Cemetery.

Memorials in Bob's honor can be sent to the Fond du Lac Area Foundation - The Bob Fishelson Family Fund, 384 N. Main Street #4, Fond du Lac, WI 54935.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Fond du Lac Reporter on Nov. 6, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for Robert Fishelson

Sponsored by Zacherl Funeral Home - Fond du Lac.

25 Entries

Joyce Sandberg

October 29, 2024

Hi Cheri, my Thoughts and Prayers are with you, at this time of the year. I´m Bob Sabels sister. Take Care and God Bless.
Love
Joyce Sandberg

Joyce A Sandberg

October 29, 2021

My Thoughts and Prayers are with You and Your Family. Bob will always be with You, "In Spirt" and all the memorable, Memories you have of Him. He was a Very Special Man.
Love and Hugs Joyce

alice Pickart

March 20, 2019

My condolences to the family....I worked with Bob at several Walleye Weekend celebrations!!! He was a joy to know....always made everyone smile....and so helpful...God Love Him

w

Jerry Sabel

November 21, 2018

Cheri and family my condolences for the loss of your husband and Dad. I have many great memories with Fish, I don't remember the place, it might have been at your home on the ledge but Fish challenged me to a foot race,now I'm feeling pretty confident, Fish was 16 years older and he had no trouble beating me, also the times I worked for him at Badger Liquor. Fish had me looking all over for the person calling my name as he was throwing his voice and everyone was in on the joke. Rest in peace Fish!

Joyce Sandberg

November 19, 2018

Hi Cheri and Family. I just heard of the passing of Bob. My Deepest Sympathy to You and your Family. I know he had been ill for many years, but loosing Him is so difficult. My Thoughts and Prayers are with You and Your Family.
Sincerely,
Joyce (Sabel) Sandberg

Ray Grenier

November 10, 2018

Met Bob in 1946 as we played along Ellis street in Fond du Lac. We also attended old Jefferson grade school together during those early years. While not really close buddies I kept running into him all thru out our school years and then beyond that as Ham Radio buddies. "I'll keep remembering you, Fish"

Jackie Fife

November 8, 2018

The Fife Family is so sorry for your families loss. Positive Thoughts and Healing Prayers for all.

Burt Cohen

November 8, 2018

Bob & I go back over 70 years. We both got started in Radio at the same time. Whenever I would get back to Fond du Lac, I would get together with him and talk about "The good old days".
RIP old friend.
73
Burt Cohen, W3GG
Delray Beach, Florida

Megan McMaster-Anderson

November 7, 2018

Mr & Mrs Fish we're always so kind and generous to us college kids. I have many great memories but one in particular was at Sunset Supper Club when we had a group of kids...Bekki...myself....our friends...before a formal dance at Marian. We had a great dinner and someone picked up our tab. Turns out Mr & Mrs Fish we're dining there too and had taken care of us. I was 19 or so and never had anyone do something like that before. It was such a great gesture and speaks to the kindness, generosity, and gracious nature of Mr Fish and the whole family. I worked at South Hills and also happened to be Bekki's best friend at the time so I had the good fortune to know him both socially and with his family. Always a kind, funny, generous man - my husband (Eric Anderson) also worked at South Hills and enjoyed seeing him at the Club. Mr Fish was the real deal. A great family man, a funny guy with a great sense of humor, and a genuinely kind person, who I remember fondly ❤

Belle Anne Freund

November 7, 2018

So sorry about your loss.
BelleAnne Freund

Randy Mayer

November 7, 2018

Boss for the day,
Bob ask me if I could help him with the fence out front, it was laying down,and it's been there awhile. As we stood in front of a ditch we could see where the deer made themself a cut through, didn't see a fence it was hidden under grass.
As we both stood there a min or two pondering how this should be done Bob calmly looked at me and said well your the boss, any ideas?
I started to get a little nervous, here's a man I've always looked up too and I'd better come up with something fast.
I cleared my voice and offered a suggestion using a come along to pull the fence out of the grass. Just then our brains started working together and came up with a plan. As we're walking through the store getting the implements we needed, Bob knew everyone, I stood there quietly and watch as everyone said hello. He must have raised his hand twenty times to wave, and Bob always had something funny to say.
We fixed the fence together that day, talking and sharing thoughts, at one point I was laughing so hard I had tears running down my face. He just smiled as if to say. I've done it again.
Bob loved to make people laugh, think and just have fun. I remember thinking I didn't want that day to be over. Love ya Bob!

Spring Singleton

November 7, 2018

I worked at Badger Liquor many years ago when I was very young. Bob was always one of those people that lit up the room when he walked in, and he always gave me a happy warm feeling when we spoke. You weren't "just an employee". One time I walked into the back where his office was, and there he was sitting with a big ol' nosebleed. I was like, "Oh my god, Bob, what happened?" He's explaining that he sent someone out to buy a styptic stick to stop the bleeding. "But how did you get the nosebleed?" Bob exclaims, "I don't know. I was just trying to trim my nose hairs with this scissors here." , and he holds up this huge paper cutting type scissors with the black painted handle. How he even got it in there is beyond me. Never a dull moment with that guy around!
He'll sure be missed!

2018 40th Anniversary of Walleye Weekend Parade

Brian Kuhnz

November 7, 2018

Doug Holvick

November 7, 2018

Condolences from the Holvick family. I have a lot of great memories of your dad but one that stood out the most was your dads generosity and heart.

When I was playing baseball at Marian, each year we had to raise $600 in pizza and sports calendar sales for our Spring Break ball Florida trip.

All my other Marian teammates, it took them about 3 months to sell their share and had exhausted all of their family and friends resources to help pay for their trip. For me, it took just a few minutes and a great chat with your dad. I waltzed down to the ole Badger Liquor office and sat in your dads office about baseball and Marian. He said, each year that you want to go to Florida, you come see me. Each year, your dad handed me a $600 check and told me to keep half the pizza for my teammates and the other half he would keep to give out to the workers on the floor at Badger. He understood the importance of community, helping others and giving back without hesitation. A true man of his word and an oustanding person.., sadly missed.

Carl Knuth

November 7, 2018

Condolences to Bob 's family. I already sent a message but my name was not included Bob was a good friend all through High School and beyond. He was a generous and loyal friend,. Had many good time together. The previously submitted photo of Bob and his 54 Chevy convertible was at a camp out at Big Green Lake in August of 1955. I moved to Virginia in 1974 and occasionally communicated with "Fish" via letter and he by phone. Was a wonderful friend.

Don Palkovich

November 6, 2018

So sad to learn of Bobs passing. Such a radiant smile and a twinkle in his eyes. Unfortunately I will be gone for the services. My sympathies to the family as well. Remembrance serves as a tribute to a life well lived.

NA Schneider

November 6, 2018

My condolences to the Fishelson Family, Bob was a great, fun loving person! Always made your day when encountering him!!! God Bless "FISH"...

November 6, 2018

So sorry to hear of the passing of this wonderful man, father and spreader of joy in the Fond du Lac Community. He and his family were so supportive of our music program and to me. Rest in Peace.
Warren and Carol Larson

Bob Fishelson back in August 1955 at a camp out at Big Green Lake

November 6, 2018

Bob ("Fish") was a good friend of mine all through high school and beyond. I had moved to Virginia but we still communicated , me through letters and he through phone calls. He was a generous and happy guy it seems at all times. I even got a few jobs after high school helping to unload box cars at Badger Liquor. I felt blessed to have him as a loyal friend.

Barbara Rhode

November 6, 2018

In 1996, the night of the Oakfield tornado, Bob was immediately at our high school. We were able to call family members from the phone in his car. I have often thought of the kindness he showed to us that night.

Ken Moran Sr.

November 5, 2018

One of the greatest gentlemen I had the pleasure to ever meet and call my friend!

November 5, 2018

AT this time in life, there are NO WORDS that can comfort his amazing family. Just know, you are all in our hearts, prayers and tears!!!! RIP dear Bob, certainly DESERVE THAT!!!!!! Much Love and Many Hugs.