Robert A. Neufeld

Robert Arnold Neufeld, age 92 passed away on Friday, December 12, 2025 at Allouez Senior Living.

He was born September 10, 1933 to Arnold Elmer Neufeld and Gladys Marie (Pazourek) Neufeld of Antigo, Wisconsin. Robert was baptized and confirmed at Peace Evangelical Lutheran Church in Antigo.

He graduated eighth grade from Peace Evangelical Lutheran School, attended and graduated from Antigo High School in 1951. A year later he joined the U.S. Navy.

After boot camp in San Diego, he was sent to Tacoma, Washington, then on to Electronics School on Treasure Island in California. He graduated March 5, 1954 and was assigned to the USS Foss DE-59 in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. He became a Shellback on June 22, 1954. His next assignment was to the USS Radford DD-446 to cruise in the Pacific. He left the Navy with an honorable discharge on June 20, 1956 with a rate of Electronics Technician 2nd Class.

After returning home to Wisconsin he enrolled at Central State College, now UW-Stevens Point, and completed a B.S. degree. He taught science and physics classes at De Pere High School and served as president of the De Pere Education Association in 1964. In 1981 he became DPEA treasurer and served until 1991. He was head wrestling coach from 1968 thru 1975 and helped train practice teachers before retiring in 1993 after teaching 32 years.

He advanced his education with summer classes at UW-Extension, UW River Falls and earned a Master's Degree from University of St. Louis in 1969.

He married Jean Ellen Hohenstein in Arkdale, Wisconsin on June 22, 1957. Together they have four children, twelve grandchildren and 26 great grandchildren. Bob and Jean traveled the 50 states with brief jaunts into Canada and Mexico, touring with children and grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sister and brother-in-law Carol and Robert Rowe; brother-in-law Ray Schroepfer; nephew Mark Schroepfer; brother and sister-in-law Joseph and Mary Neufeld; father-in-law and mother-in-law Orville and Bernice Hohenstein; brother and sister-in -law James and Sylvia Hohenstein; and sisters-in-law Linda and Janet Hohenstein.

He is survived by his wife Jean; daughters Kiva Rae Neufeld (Jeff Irish); Laurie Lee Otto; Michelle Ann Burhite (Randy); son Lance Robert Neufeld (Jude); grandchildren: Jessica Dudek (Shaun); Sarah Royal (Chase); Jason Burhite; Rebecca Schupp (Robert); Sonja Hawbecker (Ken); John Otto; Jaime Burhite; Joel Neufeld; Michael Shields (Savannah); Laurel Davenport (Dan Galpin); Emily Klesken; Matthew Fristad (Kaylyn) and 26 great grandchildren; sister Shirley Schroepfer in Antigo; nieces and nephews.

Family and friends may visit at Cotter Funeral Home, 860 N Webster Ave, De Pere, on Thursday, December 18, from 4-7pm. Visitation will continue Friday, at Faith Lutheran Church, 2335 S Webster Ave, Green Bay, from 9:30am until 11:15am. Funeral Service will be held at 11:30am with Rev. Joshua Errer officiating. The service will be livestreamed at https://www.facebook.com/FaithLutheranChurchGreenBay/

Burial will be held privately at Woodlawn Cemetery, Green Bay.