Robert Darkow

Robert (Bob) Charles Darkow, age 83 of Hixton, Wi., passed away on Oct 2, 2025, at the VA Hospice in Tomah. Bob was born on August 19, 1942, in Fond du Lac, Wi to Carl and Helen (Henke) Darkow. Helen would later marry Bill Fox upon Carl's passing. Bill and Helen raised Bob on the family farm in Oshkosh.
Bob was a 1960 graduate of Oshkosh High School. Bob went into the Army directly after HS from 1960-1963. He attended DeVry University for Electrical Engineering. Bob then attended Marquette school for Electrical Engineering, graduating in 1976. Bob worked for Bell Laboratories for 33 years.
Bob retired to Hixton, Wi. in 1999. Bob belonged to the American Legion Post 368 where he was Commander for 3 years. He was an Usher at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Neillsville, for 15 years. Bob's past times included spending time with family and friends, hunting with family on his land and fishing with his friends Gordy and Joan. When he wasn't hunting or fishing you could find him tinkering on a project or two in his Bobber Room. Bob attended weekly 'Mindfulness Group' meetings with other VA friends, led by Chaplain Tara which he loved. On a good day you could find him having a drink and cigar while admiring his views of Rut 'n Strut hollow.
Bob will be sadly missed by his children, Chris (Steve) Lehrer, Jamie (Connie) Darkow, Brenda (Joel) Ditter, Mark (Stephanie) Darkow, Grandchildren, Hayley (Alex) Kiander, Anna (JT) Heenan, Morgan (Zach) Schreiter, Kara Darkow, Jacob (Brooke) Darkow, Joshua (Carley) Ditter, Justin (Kay) Ditter, Briana (Ryan) Rink, Olivia (Mike) Darkow, Alexis (Skylar) Darkow, Great Grandchildren, Layla Rowinsky, Liam and Owen Rink, Cameron and Riley Heenan, Sister Judy (Stu) Voldsness, Brother Jim (Cathy) Fox, as well as many nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his father Carl Darkow, his mother Helen Fox, stepfather Bill Fox, Mother-in-law Mabel Berg, stepfather in law Alf Berg, brothers and sisters in law, Gerald, Jerome (Maryanne) and Edmond (Theresa) Voldsness, Donald Voldsness, Margaret (Zane) Huff, Sr., ex-spouse, Beverly Darkow and special friend, Meredyth King.
A celebration of life for Bob will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 1, 2025, at the Jensen-Modjeski Funeral Home in Hixton, WI. A visitation will be held at the funeral home from 11:00 a.m. until the time of the service.
Thank you to the staff and nurses at the healthcare facilities, VA/Hospice in Tomah, Mayo La Crosse, Osseo, Black River Falls and Eau Claire. A special thank you to his friend / health care provider from Village Caregivers, Linda Nyseth, for the kindness, care and compassion shown to our father and his family. In lieu of flowers, a memorial is being established to honor the VA/Hospice unit.