Robert S. "Bob" Stocki

On September 21, 2024 death reunited Robert S. "Bob" Stocki 88 with his beloved wife, Darlene, his "Queen". Robert was born in Chicago, IL on June 4, 1936, son of the late Simon and Mary (Tyrcha) Stocki. Bob grew up in Chicago attending St Stanislaus B & M Grade School. Bob's parents moved the family to a farm in Beaver, WI. After moving to the family farm in Beaver, WI, Bob attended and graduated Crivitz High School in 1954.
There are a number of themes that can be traced through Bob's life: a loving dedication to family, a love of learning and teaching, and ongoing service to public school children, to community, and to his fellow educators.
On June 30, 1962 he married Darlene J. Groh at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Green Bay, WI. Darlene predeceased him on February 11, 2013 as did their son, Scott T. on August 7, 2003.
In the fall of 1955 Bob attended Marinette Teachers College for the first semester. In April 1956 he joined the US Army and completed his basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, MO. He was then assigned to the Chemical Corps at Fort McClellan, AL. After completing Chemical
Warfare School he was reassigned to Clerical School and upon completion Bob was assigned as a Battalion S-1Clerk, "Personnel Specialist", to the 218th Chemical Battalion Headquarters at Fort McClellan, AL. Bob also qualified as an "Expert Marksman" with the US Carbine, US Machine Gun Caliber 45, and received the Motor Vehicle Driver's Qualification Badge. During his assignment at Fort McClellan he also was a member of the Post Honor Guard. Bob was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army with as early release to attend college in January 1959. He returned to Marinette Teachers college, graduating with a two-year degree in June 1960. That fall he began teaching in Coleman. During this time he continued his career preparation at UW-Oshkosh earning a Bachelor of Science degree in education and teaching reading in summer 1964.
From 1963-1966 Bob was a seventh grade teacher at Lincoln School in West DePere. As president of the West DePere Education Association he led the team that negotiated collective bargaining rights agreement with the school board. From West DePere Bob's career path led him to Appleton where he was employed by the Cooperative Education Service Agency #6 as a Reading Specialist/teacher for a number of small school districts.
Bob returned to UW-Oshkosh to work toward a Master's Degree in Reading. In August 1967, his schooling at UW-O was interrupted when Bob was awarded a National Defense Education Act full scholarship to attend graduate school at Northern Illinois University. There in 1968 he earned his Masters of Science Degree of Science in Guidance and Counseling.
From August 1968 until June 1969 Bob was a Reading Consultant for School District 59, in Elk Grove Village, IL. During this time he became involved with the "W. Clement Stone Foundation" in Chicago, as a volunteer. Bob was a "Group Facilitator" for "Achievement Motivation Seminars" for a weekend, once a month. These "Seminars" were attended by educational leaders and administrators from throughout the United States.
When the family moved back to Green Bay in June 1969, Bob resumed his schooling at UW-0 earning the equivalent of another Master's degree, this time in the area of reading. Hired by the Green Bay Area Public Schools where he remained until his retirement in 1998. As an educator Bob served as classroom teacher, instructional media center director, a reading teacher, a Title I Reading Supervisor, and guidance counselor for all grade levels, kindergarten through high school. Bob's ongoing pursuit of learning enabled him to earn and maintain all of the certifications required by the Department of Public Instruction to teach in these areas. In sum Bob was one of the most "certified" educators in the Green Bay District.
Bob continued to serve his fellow educators through his participation in local, state, and national education associations. From 1970-1998, Bob also continued his involvement with the Green Bay Education Association (GBEA), Northeastern Wisconsin Education Association (NWEA), Wisconsin Education Association Council (WEAC), and the National Education Association (NEA). Bob began as a building representative, then as a delegate at large to the executive board and then as president of the GBEA, from 1980-83. As GBEA President, Bob negotiated a contract with the Wisconsin Education Association Council (WEAC), to provide funding for legal counsel to the GBEA. He was on the executive board of NWEA from 1975-78 and served as president in 1976-77. As president he established Green Bay as the permanent city for the NWEA convention and that it be the second Friday in March each year. Bob served on the WEAC Board of Directors for three years. He later served as a member of the Credential and Elections committee, Public Relations committee, and the Congressional Contact committee. With the NEA, he served as a member of the Credentials and Elections committee and the Congressional Contact Committee. Bob also served on a Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) committee for three years. His committee was instrumental in establishing the DPI guidelines and criteria for the certification of reading teachers in Wisconsin.
During this time Bob and Darlene's family grew to include Scott, Sandra and Sharlene, and continued growing with the birth of their son, Stephen Robert, in fall 1974. They enjoyed fishing, playing baseball, softball, music, and singing, dancing, playing board games and cards and traveling. When organized "Girls Softball" began in Ashwaubenon, Bob and Darlene were coaches for a team for three years. During his college years and beyond, Bob had a three piece band that played at weddings, showers, birthday parties and other parties. The band's most regular "gig" was one Saturday night a month at the Round Roof at Kelly Lake. However, for several years they usually played Friday and Saturday nights and occasionally a Sunday afternoon. Bob played the accordion at home for his family and their grandchildren especially enjoyed the music. Bob and Darlene also enjoyed dancing, traveling, reading, fishing, hunting, bean bags and golfing. They were the winningest couple's team in bean bags at Pauly G's. They played golf in the couple's league at "The Woods" for several years. Darlene also played in the "Ladies League" once a week and Bob played two days a week on different leagues. Bob was an avid golfer and usually played three or more times a week during the golf season. He was especially lucky to have made three "Hole-in-One's". At The Woods Golf Club, Bob was the President of the Thursday Early Golf League since 2005. Besides reading, music and golf Bob enjoyed woodworking. It was a hobby he revived from his youth and has made several family keepsakes. He exhibited and sold his hand-crafted work at local craft shows for a few years. Now, as with the accordion, the woodworking is a home-based pastime.
Bob was a member of "Nativity of Our Lord" parish since 1969. He served as a Sunday Mass Lector since 1970. Bob served on a few different committees and also did some volunteer work on various projects for the parish.
For Bob, his greatest losses were his wife, Darlene, "His Queen" and his son, Scott. During his life as a father, teacher, counselor, and friend he always tried his best to be the best. For his own children and the students with whom he worked, he always wanted them to learn how to think, and the message he hopes that he instilled in them is- "Try to figure out what to do when you don't know what to do".
Bob wrote: In my lifetime, I hope that I have provided more good, love, hugs, joy and laughter than anything that may have been hurtful. If, by chance I have offended anyone, I am sincerely sorry for any hurt or offense.
One of Bob's favorite quotes is from Frederick S. Perls:
I do my thing, and you do your thing.
I am not in this world to live up to your expectations,
And you are not in this world to live up to mine.
You are you and I am I,
And if by chance we find each other,
It's beautiful.
Bob is survived by his daughters Sandra D. Kenniston and Sharlene M.; his son Stephen R. (Stacy); grandsons Hunter, Sawyer and Jacob; granddaughters Jasmine, Jordan and Willamina; sisters Margie (Ralph) LaPoint and Terri Green. He is further survived by his brother-in-law Lee (Patricia) Groh; sisters-in-law Julie Stocki, Dorothy Ragen, Judie Murawski, Janet Groh, Marsha Groh; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Darlene, son, Scott and his parents, Simon and Mary (Tyrcha) Stocki, brother James J. Stocki, sister Eleanor Pauletti, brothers-in-law Edward Groh, Donald Groh and David Murawski.
Visitation will be held Saturday, October 5, 2024 from 9:30 am until 12 noon at Nativity of Our Lord Parish, 2270 S. Oneida St., Green Bay. Services will be held at 12 noon Saturday, October 5, 2024 at Nativity of Our Lord Parish. Officiating at the Mass of Christian Burial will be the Rev. Matt Simonar, with full military honors following the service. Interment will be at Allouez Catholic Cemetery and Chapel Mausoleum at a later date.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.lyndahl.com
In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in Bob's name.
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