Robert G. "Bob" Wirth

Robert "Bob" Wirth

July 29, 1934 – November 27, 2025

Robert "Bob" Wirth of Colgate, WI, entered eternal life on November 27, 2025, at the age of 91. He was born in Milwaukee on July 29, 1934, to George and Olive (née Bang) Wirth.

Bob was the beloved husband of Alice (née Beier) Wirth for 69 years, devoted father to Lynne (J. Michael Shinners) and Tod (Sharon), and cherished brother of Charles and Susan (Jon Powers). He was a proud grandfather to Matthew and Joseph (Alison) Shinners, Stacy (Nathan) Harris, and Kristie Wirth, and a loving great-grandfather to Adalyn and Emmett Harris. He is preceded in death by his parents and brother, and is survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives, and many dear friends.

Education and Career Bob graduated from Wauwatosa High School in 1952, where he met Alice, his eventual wife. He went on to earn a degree in Architecture from the University of Illinois in 1957 and briefly served with the Army Corps of Engineers in Northern Virginia. Returning to Milwaukee, he began his architectural career, first with local firms before co-founding Blake-Wirth Associates and later Torke-Wirth-Pujara. He practiced there for decades until retiring in the early 2000s. His work left a lasting mark on Southeastern Wisconsin, with notable projects including the unique triangular Security Savings Bank buildings, Krause Funeral Home, and extensive design work for SC Johnson in Racine and Harley-Davidson in Milwaukee. Perhaps his most personal masterpiece was the Colgate home he designed and built with Alice in 1964, featuring innovative passive solar elements. The home was later highlighted in the Milwaukee Journal. Even in retirement, Bob remained active in architecture, contributing to Habitat for Humanity projects and serving on the Richfield Planning Commission and Architectural Review Board, including a term as chairman.

Passions and Hobbies Bob's lifelong interests reflected his creativity and meticulous nature. He and his father shared a love of model trains, maintaining an extensive attic layout. His greatest passion, however, was for cars. Over the years, he built a remarkable collection of antique vehicles-including Model T's, Model A's, MG's, Corvairs, and a Porsche-stored in his three garages. He restored many of them himself, including a 1928 Model A Ford, and even built a Model T Ford Omnibus from the ground up with his son, Tod. Bob was deeply involved in car clubs such as the Model T Ford Club of Milwaukee, Dairyland Tin Lizzies, Model A Club of Milwaukee, Milwaukee and Great Lakes MG Motorcar Group, and the AACA. He and Alice enjoyed countless tours and rallies, including National Model T Tours, the Freedom Road Rally, the Open Air Classic, and the Milwaukee Circus Parade. Their annual trips to Pennsylvania for the Hershey and Carlisle Swap Meets became a treasured tradition. His garages, meticulously organized, were even featured in the book Dream Garages.

Travels and Interests Together, Bob and Alice traveled widely, exploring China, Africa, Mexico, Europe, and Russia. They especially cherished their journeys to Egypt, where they studied ancient art and architecture, and to the Yucatán jungles to admire Mayan ruins. Bob was also an avid sports fan. He and Alice held season tickets for Wisconsin Badger football, Milwaukee Admirals hockey, and enjoyed cheering for the Green Bay Packers and Wisconsin hockey teams.

Gratitude and Services The family extends heartfelt thanks to the caregivers at Aurora Medical Center and Froedtert Hospital for their kindness and compassion.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, December 10, beginning at 9:30 AM until 10:45 AM at Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church – N59 W22476 Silver Spring Drive in Sussex, WI, followed by a service at 11:00 AM. There will be refreshments following the service in the Fellowship Hall.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Richfield Historical Society, Mt. Horeb Historical Society, Habitat for Humanity, or the American Cancer Society.