Robert J. Sobkowiak

Robert J. Sobkowiak died at home surrounded by his family on Friday, October 11, 2019, at the age of 86, from leukemia.

He was the fifth of thirteen children born November 15,1932 at the family farm in Stoddard, WI to the late Lillian and Walter Sobkowiak. He attended Grandview elementary school, Stoddard’s one room schoolhouse, for 8 years then worked on the family farm until joining the military in 1951. Bob was in the U.S. Marine Corps 1951-1962. He was on active duty in the Korean War 1951-1954 where he attained the rank of Gunnery Sergeant and Marine Corps Reserve 1954-1962. The discipline and routine of the Marine Corps continued throughout his life and included doing his Marine Corps calisthenics regimen of push-ups and sit-ups every morning. He was a lifelong member of the VFW and American Legion.

Bob started his construction career after he returned from the war when he completed 4 years of training in architectural drafting at WWTC. During his career, he helped build St. Joseph the Workman Cathedral, University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse dormitories, St. Francis Hospital, the WWTC Health and Sciences Building, and numerous public schools including those in West Salem and Onalaska. His first job was at Svendby Roofing and was followed by 24 years at Nels Johnson working as a construction superintendent, then as a project manager for 15 years with Bray and Associates Architects which became Vantage Architects. He continued to work full time in retirement providing pro bono carpentry and handyman work at his daughter’s and sibling’s homes. He was a member of Carpenters’ Local Union 1143 for 38 years.

Bob was a devout Catholic who belonged to St. Patrick’s Parish in Onalaska where he helped build both the Church and School. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus.

He was preceded in death by the love of his life, wife of 40 years Patricia (Schmitt) Sobkowiak, siblings James Sobkowiak, Charles Sobkowiak, infant sibling Bernadette Sobkowiak and his parents, Walter and Lillian (Mlsna) Sobkowiak.

Bob was a family man who will be greatly missed by his surviving family, Pam Sobkowiak of Marshfield, WI, Rhonda McGowan (John) of West Salem, Monica Lunde (Grant) of Trempealeau, WI, Brenda Guyer (Thomas), of Minneapolis, MN, Melissa Crane (Andy) of Fenton, MI, Barb and Red Loken of Holmen, WI; his cherished six grandchildren, Christopher Lunde, Keegan McGowan, Shea McGowan, Michael Crane, Sophie Crane, and Evan Crane; his nine siblings and their spouses, Irene Hauser, Al Sobkowiak (Mary), Dorothy Pierce, Bernard Sobkowiak (Debbie), Donald Sobkowiak, Dennis Sobkowiak (Linda), Ronald Sobkowiak (Sally), Annette Manuel (Bob), and Daniel Sobkowiak (Margie); and many nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, October 16 ^th , at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Onalaska. Msgr. Steven Kachel will officiate. Burial, with military honors, will follow in Onalaska City Cemetery. Friends may call from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, at Schumacher-Kish Funeral and Cremation Services in Onalaska, where a rosary will begin at 4:00 p.m., and at the church on Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of Mass.