Robert E. Floerke

Robert "Bob" Eugene Floerke 83, of rural Platteville, went peacefully to be with Jesus Saturday morning, November 22, 2025. Services will be held Sunday, November 30th at the Melby Funeral Home and Crematory, 1245 North Water Street, Platteville, with visitation beginning at 10:30 and service at 1:30 with Pastor Dianne Deaton Vielhuber and Pastor Debbie Pimm presiding. Private family burial will be at Whig Cemetery. Online condolences can be made at www.melbyfh.com.

Robert was born December 16, 1941, son of Ernest and Dorothy (Nohns) Floerke at Mt. Horeb. He grew up in Platteville with his brother Ernie and sisters Arlene, Marie and Karen, all deceased.

Bob graduated from Platteville High School with the class of 1959. He then went to Denver on his beloved motorcycle and attended gun smithing school. He returned to Platteville with a job promise at Rusk Gun Shop in Madison. He returned in the meantime to work at Dick's Supermarket where he met Mary Ann Knappmiller as he worked with her mother. They were married at Peace Lutheran Church Platteville March 21, 1964. They lived in Madison while Bob worked for Ken and Nat Rusk along with Bill Schultz. Sons, Shaun and Scott were born there. They then bought The Sports Center from Kenny Wells and moved back to Platteville where their daughter Darcy was born. Bob continued his gunsmithing skills as he ran the retail business – selling sporting good, guns, ammunition and fishing items.

Following ownership of The Sports Center, Bob worked for the Grant County Sheriff's Department with Percy and Herb, where he retired as a detective sergeant – finally days Monday thru Friday! He may have been strict with you, but he was a gentle soul too – helping many through his work life with their challenges and concerns. A couple years ago he had the opportunity to sit in Gary's He-Shed and chat with some of those he had come in contact within the past. He really enjoyed that evening! It was great!

Bob enjoyed pitching and playing fast pitch softball in Madison and Platteville, trap shooting, deer hunting at Joe Ingram's cabin at Hayward as well as locally, exercising, playing tennis, bowling at Pioneer Lanes, mowing the lawn, the whole process of gathering wood from the farm land for the wood burner, his truck, guns, training and showing Arabian horses, raising Rex rabbits, his hunting dogs Rebel, Cher, Koal, Echo and Shadow, playing cards with friends, cooking, camping with Dopkin's, feeding the hummingbirds and Orioles, vacations to Northern Wisconsin, Duluth, Colorado with friends and Arkansas with Marietta and Dick, visiting Marie each week, enjoying the outdoors. raising roses, along with drinking Coca Cola and collecting Coke memorabilia. He was a member of Whig Methodist Country Church where he enjoyed chatting with others every week and sharing with Michele the back pew on the left.

Bob's little known to others pastime was oil painting landscapes… trees, water, and sky. He just finished his last painting last week…. And called it accomplished. Friend Pastor Dianne commissioned him to paint a scene that became the cover of her recently published book about grief: Unraveling Together: Sharing the Threads of Grief.

The Floerke family includes Shaun and Sara in Duluth with Merit, Connor(Jenae), Cole(Mariah), Curran(Ellie) and 2 1/2 month old Fiona, Mercy(Dan); Scott and Brandee at Platteville with Shana and Mitchell; Darcy in La Crosse with LaKiah; Italian daughter Daniela(Oliver) in Rome and Bob's German Shorthair best friend, Shadow. All were loved and important to Dad/Grandpa. He wants the very best for each of you. Bob is further survived by his sister-in-law, Mercille Floerke; Brothers-in-law Gilbert and Stuart(Mary Ellen) Knappmiller, and sister-in-law Marcia Kendall and many precious nieces, nephews, cousins, neighbors and friends.

He will be remembered as a caring, gentle giant who loved to play BEAR with the grandkids!! He was waiting for some more greats to have them old enough to play BEAR again. I'm sure there would be some more airsoft BB's laying around the house again too. Currently the family gathering enjoyment was good games of Hand and Foot. We'll all remember Bob's winning well!