Robert "Bob" D. Schwartz

Robert "Bob" Schwartz, 88, passed away peacefully with his loving wife and children by his side the morning of April 24, 2026.

Bob was fortunate to have lived a very full, meaningful life and was a man who truly exemplified the "work hard, play hard" mentality. The youngest of four children, Bob was born on May 16, 1937 to Lillian and Frank Schwartz, where his strong work ethic began to take shape on his family's farm in Neva, Wisconsin. There, he kept many animals and loved to stop at the cheese factory for curds on the two-mile walk home from school with his siblings. At just 13 years old, Bob started drumming for a local polka band his brother Gene played trumpet in, and by the time he graduated from Antigo High School in 1955, Bob was playing drums and tuba (sometimes simultaneously!) with The Neva Band, playing popular local dance jobs. Fitting then, that his first date with his wife of 69 years, Mona, was to a polka dance. Their courtship started with a note in study hall, but Mona wasn't yet allowed to date. After graduation, Bob mailed her a postcard from his travels out west, and when he returned stopped by the dime store where Mona worked to finally ask her out. After a year of dating, Bob bought a diamond ring and stashed it in his aunt's refrigerator for safekeeping until he proposed on Christmas Day in 1956. After they married on April 13, 1957, the couple lived in Milwaukee and had three children: Dee Dee, Tamee, and Robert Jr.

Bob spent eight years in the Army Reserves, while working for Allen-Bradley and UPS as a mechanic and trainer. Then he was promoted to supervisor and the family moved to Weston in 1964. He continued playing in polka bands, most notably with The Jolly Gentlemen and later with the Lee Gardner Band and the Firemen Five, touring around the state and often bringing his family along to polka shows and parades on weekends. In 1970, Bob started as Branch Manager — then later, as District Manager — for Auto Glass Specialists until his retirement in 1999.

While Bob worked hard throughout his career, he was equally dedicated to making the most of his time off. The family took many trips around the country and to the Bahamas, and spent countless hours entertaining and relaxing around their backyard pool. Bob and Mona also enjoyed many fun trips with Bob's brother Gene and his wife Pat over the years. In 1984, Bob and Mona bought land and — with the help of family and friends — built a cabin, which became the homebase for many decades of cross-country ski parties, hunting camps, and times to just wander the woods and enjoy the great outdoors. Bob always loved to keep busy and work with the land. He cut and shaved the log banisters and beams in the cabin, built six log beds by hand, and built a 20-foot garden bridge for one of his daughters. He loved teaching his kids and grandkids how to hunt, how to use tools, and how to respect the land. Everyone looked forward to his cabin cooking, like his famous potatoes that would simmer in a cast iron kettle over a campfire for hours, but his biggest specialty was sweet corn. Bob became known as The Corn Man, taking his old half-barrel rig to all kinds of events where he'd shuck hundreds of steamed ears with his big leather mitts and dunk them in melted butter before finishing them off with salt. The kids would often have contests to see who could eat the most.

Bob also enjoyed helping his family cook maple syrup, cold-smoke venison sausage, and going on fishing trips out on Lake Michigan. Bob and Mona always had a blast on their trips to casinos — especially their favorite, North Star Mohican Casino in Bowler — where the lucky duo won many jackpots. They even had a slot machine in their basement that was a source of fun for many generations growing up.

Bob loved making people laugh; he always had perfect timing with a joke, or a clever prank up his sleeve. On Christmas, he couldn't wait to present a perfect gag gift, and his bellowing laugh always filled the room. He also had a knack for knowing how to relate to anyone he spoke with. He was always able to find a connection, and make anyone he encountered feel comfortable, which is just one of the many reasons he will be sorely missed, but forever remembered, in this life.

Bob is survived by his loving wife of 69 years, Mona Schwartz; his three children, Dee Dee (Bob) Jahnke, Tamee (Dick) Wanta, and Bob Jr. (Laura Vogel-Schwartz); his nine grandchildren, Scott (Coretta) Jahnke, Craig (Annette) Jahnke, Briana Rupel, Christopher Rupel, Keith (Patti) Wanta, Jason (Angela) Wanta, Adrianna (Brett) Leach, Alexander (fiancé Brittany) Schwartz, and Ryan Schwartz; his six great-grandchildren, Trevor (Kayla) Jahnke, Jennica (Zack) Back, Zachary (Kassandra) Jahnke, Miranda (Nolan) Rodriguez, Jack Wanta, and Lillian Leach; his seven great-great-grandchildren, Nora & Elena Jahnke, Lakyn Back, Raelyn & Madilyn Jahnke, and Lane & Evelyn Rodriguez; his sisters-in-law, Patricia Schwartz, Betty Pizl, Yvonne (Lloyd) Svacina, Vickie (Wenzel) Husnick, and many nieces and nephews.

Bob is preceded in death by his parents, Frank & Lillian; his siblings, Norman, Helen Jean (Tom) Thomae, and Eugene; his sister-in-law, Donna Debroux; and his brothers-in-law, Clarence Debroux and Duane Pizl.

Bob's family would like to extend special thanks to the fourth-floor staff at Marshfield Medical Center in Weston, the Rennes Health & Rehab 200-wing staff, and Compassus Hospice for their care and compassion during Bob's final weeks.

Per Bob's wishes, there will be a private celebration of life held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made instead to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research. Donations can be made in Bob's name at www.give.michaeljfox.org.

Brainard Funeral Home & Cremation Center of Weston is honored to assist Bob’s family with the arrangements. Online condolences are encouraged and may be made at www.brainardhelke.com.