Robert P. Behnke
Robert P. Behnke, 78, of Fond du Lac, passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones on Wednesday, October 9, 2024 at Hospice Home of Hope following a courageous battle with cancer.
Bob was born on February 23, 1946 in Fond du Lac, the son of Albert Behnke and Antonia Dorn-Behnke. He graduated from St. Mary’s Springs High School in 1964, continued his education at UW Oshkosh, and proudly served in The U.S. Army Reserves. He later became an honorary Eagle Scout. On September 2, 1967, Bob married Marie “Loni” Ransom and they shared 57 wonderful years together.
Bob dedicated 31 years of service to the Fond du Lac Fire Department, retiring in 2001 as a Battalion Chief. He truly enjoyed these years and treasured the relationships he built with his fellow firefighters while on and off the job. In addition to his full–time job, Bob paired his love of the natural world with a second career that spanned working in a stone quarry in high school for his dad’s business, Fond du Lac Stone, to leading sales for Oakfield Stone. He helped create beautiful homes throughout his firefighting career and beyond.
Bob enjoyed life. He loved to be outside and spent hours in his backyard, creating an inviting space for family and friends. He enjoyed getting away to the woods and to his family’s cottage up north. Yearly hunting trips to Washburn County with his deer camp crew and fishing trips to Lake Erie were treasured traditions for most of Bob’s life. Some of his favorite times were spent playing volleyball with Loni and on the baseball diamond. He shared many great times with his bowling teams throughout the years and most recently enjoyed his time on the golf course with his teammates during league or golfing with family and friends. Bob also cherished quiet evenings at home with Loni, family gatherings, and having drinks and dinner with friends. He found immense joy spending time with his grandchildren, creating some of his most lasting memories. He was always the one who remembered to grab the camera to capture the moments. Bob relished the roles of storyteller and practical joke instigator and had a special talent for creating surprises that startled his target, usually Loni. All of the dogs and cats he loved over the years also provided a constant source of amusement and hearty laughter. A lifelong learner, Bob not only devoured newspapers and documentaries, he asked questions everywhere he went. And more questions. And more. The knowledge he passed to his family and friends will be one of Bob’s most enduring gifts.
He is survived by his wife Loni; his four children, Rob (Ricky), Tony, Chris (Amy), Michael and his significant other, Delia; his four grandchildren, Anthony, Loren, Mason and Ethan; his sister Karleen (Gene) Merwin; his brother, William (Donna) Behnke; his sisters-in-law, Joni Shwed and Marjean Ransom; his brothers-in-law John (Evie) Ransom and Bob Hopp; and many nieces, nephews and friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents, his stepmother Dottie, his brothers Jim and Steve, his maternal and paternal grandparents, his parents-in-law, and several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.
Bob’s family invites relatives and friends to a time of visitation on Sunday, October 20, 2024, from 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm at Zacherl Funeral Home, 875 E. Division Street, Fond du Lac. A second visitation will be held on Monday, October 21 from 10:00 am – 11:00 am at Holy Family Catholic Church with Mass following at 11:00 am.
The family would like to extend their sincerest thanks to the physicians, nurses and staff at St Agnes Hospital Five West and The Agnesian Healthcare Hospice Home of Hope for the wonderful care and comfort they brought to Bob and the entire family during his final days.
In lieu of flowers, donations are appreciated to Fond du Lac Firefighters Local 400 Charitable Fund Inc., 815 S. Main St., Fond du Lac, WI 54935 or a charity of your choice in Bob’s honor.
Zacherl Funeral Home is serving the family, www.zacherlfuneralhome.com 920-922-6860.