Robert "Bob" Clarence Wittlinger, 80, Green Bay, died Monday, December 3, 2018.

To know Bob Wittlinger is to smile. He always had a story, joke, anecdote or little piece of trivia that would make you think and make you grin. Bob was born on August 16, 1938, to Clarence and Gertrude (Kort) Wittlinger in Shawano, Wisconsin.

One of his early memories was of hiding in boxes, with barely a toe showing from underneath, and surprising unsuspecting patrons of the grocery store that his father managed in town. Bob was an only child, but his childhood was often filled with memories of playing and working alongside his many cousins on the Kort family farm in Shawano.

He attended Sacred Heart School until his father's new job had them moving to Green Bay in eighth grade. Bob then studied at Annunciation School before heading to Green Bay West High School, where he graduated in 1956. As a Wildcat, he played almost every sport including football and hockey. Bob later joined a men's soccer team in Green Bay, and he was also there at the beginning of the Green Bay Kickers recreational soccer teams. He encouraged each of his seven children to play soccer (some more successfully than others). As a soccer coach, Bob taught the importance of having fun as much as playing the game to your best abilities and being a good sport.

After high school, Bob (sometimes spelled with two "o"s), joined the U.S. Air Force where he completed basic training and then served in the Air Force Reserves. After he attended St. Norbert College, his organizational skills, civil engineering know-how and attention to detail helped complete roads, bridges, highways, on-ramps, by-ways all over northeastern Wisconsin as an employee with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. Bob began on the Survey & Construction Staking Crew and became a Project Manager over the course of his 39 years with the DOT. After retiring, he kept wearing his hard hat and consulted on various road construction projects.

And then Bob began to golf. After retirement, he'd often be found chasing the dimpled bird eggs on the golf courses at Irish Waters and Ledgeview. When he didn't play with his leagues, he'd get himself invited to be the fourth player to a random threesome or head out on his own. If players got backed up ahead of him, Bob would wander the area and recover lost balls from the rough or pond until play commenced once more. Then he'd sort those salvaged balls by type and brand into egg cartons to share with anyone who asked.

Bob met Barbara Jane Kamps at the Kegler's Klub and the two were married on October 1, 1960 at Annunciation Catholic Church. In their 58 years of marriage, they raised seven children who provided a joyful collection of grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They spent every Sunday at mass at St. Agnes parish unless they were having a weekend up north near Pembine, Wisconsin. Bob and Barb also enjoyed square dancing with the Whirl-a-Ways, West Turners and Fireside Squares.

In the years following Bob's retirement, he traveled with Barb across the United States. They've been everywhere, man: from sampling lobster in Maine to cruising along Alaska's coastline, and from taking in the sights of Hawaii, to riding the rails in Colorado. They also toured Italy, Germany, Austria and Switzerland. They also brought the travels to their own home by hosting sailors that visited the Port of Green Bay as part of the Seafarer's Ministry organization. It taught their children to appreciate others from all over the world because they were hard-working people with families as far away as India and the Philippines.

Bob, like his father Clarence, battled prostate cancer. After the initial prognosis and treatment over 30 years ago, he enjoyed many healthy years keeping that cancer "controlled and contained". But cancer found another way to knock him down earlier this year. Even during his time at home on hospice from June to November, he could summon the strength to chat and smile and "fist-bump" his many visitors that came by to see him.

Bob is survived by Barbara: his wife, friend, caretaker, travel companion, dance partner, and much more. Their children include Ann Wittlinger (& Trina Lambert), Paul Wittlinger (& Marilyn Zeitler), Mary Lasee-Spude (& Tim Spude), Jane Magee (& Doug Magee), Joan Nyamhondoro (& Marcus Gray), Beth Kong (& Hue Kong), David Wittlinger (& Cristina Romoli), and exchange student Laurent Uhoda (Carole Uhoda) of Brussels, Belgium. Grandchildren include Ryan Wittlinger (Sarah), Bryan White, Mandi Matthews (Dylan LaCloux), KateLyn White, Ali Peeters (deceased), Clare Magee, Nyasha Nyamhondoro, Cassie Lasee (Michael Lasee), Evan Kong, Oskar Kong, Jacinda Stein, Hunter Kong, Odin Kong as well as many cherished great-grandchildren.

The family will greet relatives and friends at Blaney Funeral Home, 1521 Shawano Ave., from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday, December 9; with a Parish Wake Service to be held at 7 p.m. Visitation will continue at St. Agnes Catholic Church, 1484 Ninth St., from 9 to 11 a.m. Monday, followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. with Rev. Patrick C. Beno officiating. To send online condolences, please go to www.BlaneyFuneralHome.com.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the memorial fund for Bob and his family.

Barb would especially like to thank all the family, friends, neighbors, relatives and community members who provided prayers, gifts of food, visits, caring and kindness throughout the time Bob was home with help from Unity Hospice from June until December. A special thank you to Dr. Warren for assistance in finding ways to fight Bob's cancer.