On Friday, December 14th, 2018, Robert “Bob” Toerpe, 85, left this world to be with the love of his life, his wife Gail, and their daughter Teresa. Bob was born on February 2, 1933 to Emil and Florence Toerpe in Chicago, IL, the youngest of three children. After high school, Bob enlisted in the Air Force and served during the Korean War.
It was during this time that he met and corresponded with Gail (nee Larson). On April 14, 1956, Bob and Gail were married at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Milwaukee, WI, then settled in Chicago, where their first four children were born. The family ultimately ended up in Gail’s hometown of Milwaukee, where they had two more children.
Smart, hardworking and an avid learner, Bob got a factory job after the war, but quickly transitioned to the insurance industry, where he would spend the next 43 years. He worked for various insurance agencies including Frank B Hall and James S Kemper before becoming president of Wisconsin Insurance Management, an agency he would run until retiring in 1998. Bob had created such wonderful work environments for his employees, including job sharing before job sharing was a thing, that he often had employees follow him from agency to agency.
Such was the loyalty Bob earned, simply by doing what was right and fair. In 1979 Bob and Gail purchased a plot of land on Washington Island and over the course of 15 years built 2 log cabins that they eagerly and generously shared with family and friends. After retiring, Bob assisted Gail in running the Washington Island Observer, the newspaper they bought in 1992.
For 20 years they managed and published this small town newspaper, which, under their ownership, became the last independently owned newspaper in Wisconsin. Bob was passionate about a lot of things, but nothing brought a smile to his face like his family did. He was an involved father and grandfather, not only in being there for daily tasks of family life, but offering advice, assistance and a kind ear to those who needed it.
As Bob joins his wife and daughter in Heaven, he leaves behind his children: Ted (Sharon), Suzan (Paul), Tom (Kathy), Mitch (Tricia) and Gabrielle (Pita); 23 grandchildren: Leah, Kellen, Laura (Andy), Emily, Tiffany (Harley), Justin (Kim), Jordan (Philippe), Alexandra (Joshua), Griffin (Katie), Ryland, Hayley (Tim), Joel (Rosie), Claire, Evan, Olivia, Grace (Quin), Mitchell, Gianna, Elias, Bennett, Neoma (Travis), Calvin and Miles; and 16 great-grandchildren. Also mourning his passing are his brother-in-law Paul (Bobbi), nephews Ed and Paul, and the lunch crew of Dave, Tim, Larry, Paul and Roger, along with many other relatives and friends. While the devastating disease of Alzheimer’s took many things from him, it did not take his spirit.
His eyes still sparkled, and his smile would light up a room. His compassion, humor and love of family is something that will long be remembered by those fortunate enough to know him. A special thank you to Ellen’s Home in Port Washington for the special care they gave Bob over the last year and a half.
A celebration of Bob’s life will take place with visitation at the Funeral Home on Friday, December 21, 2018, 4:00-7:00 PM with shared remembrances at 7:00 PM. Additional visitation at the Funeral Home on Saturday, after 9:00 AM. Funeral 10:00 AM from the Funeral Home to The Basilica of St. Josaphat for Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 AM.
Interment and Military Honors to follow at Woodlawn Cemetery. If desired, donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or Compassionate Friends. Prasser-Kleczka Funeral Home Bay View Chapel 3275 S. Howell Avenue 414-483-2322 To send flowers or a remembrance gift to the family of Robert Toerpe, please visit our Tribute Store.
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