Robert “Bob” William Coleman Jr., 85, of Suamico, Wisc., passed peacefully Sunday, October 27, 2024, while in hospice in Green Bay, Wisc.
Robert was born January 18, 1939, in Union City, Pa., to Robert W. and Lavina M. Mayfield Coleman.
He graduated from Point Marion High School in 1956 and attended Penn Technical Institute, where he became certified in electronics in 1958.
Following his childhood in the Appalachian Mountains, Robert joined the U.S. Air Force and moved to Harlingen Air Force Base in Texas, where he completed his Aviation Cadet Preflight training. His last post was at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont. While in Montana, Robert also became a professional ski instructor, ski patrol member of the PSIA Northern Rocky Mountain Division, and was trained in avalanche rescue.
During this time, he met his wife of 59 years, Jeanette Frank, while skiing near Great Falls, Mont. They went on to marry in January of 1962 and would soon begin their family in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Robert continued with the ski patrol and began working for Honeywell as a certified computer technician. As time went on with Honeywell, Bob was transferred to Boston, then Chicago, and lastly Green Bay, where he switched employment and went to work for Tecumseh Motors.
Bob and Jeanette resided near Lambeau Field, where they began developing a love for the Green Bay area.
In 1975, Bob embarked on a new endeavor of commercial fishing from the Suamico river with his daughter, Bobbi Ann by his side. Joining an exclusive group of fishermen at a time when Suamico was known as a small fishing village, Bob and Jeanette would later purchase a beautiful parcel of land and home in Suamico near the boat landing.
In his earlier adult years, Bob enjoyed playing golf and often competed in league play. Wanting to share his passion, he annually sawed off a nine-iron golf club for his daughter as she grew up. He also taught her how to downhill ski, and was devoted to sharing his love for the outdoors by taking each of his grandsons on fishing trips to Alaska and Canada. Many treasured memories remain from these trips and will forever be remembered.
He also enjoyed many trips with Jeanette to spend time with family, horse races in Illinois, the fall colors of the Northeast, and travel around the Great Lakes. At home, they took loving care of their beagles, Zip, Misty, Buddy and Patches. Bob enjoyed spending time with his family and spent many hours maintaining his rural Suamico property.
Known for his witty charm and interest in others, Bob was a popular figure at the Bayport football field, where he cheered on his grandson’s football team. And he was often found at the Suamico boat landing, where he conversed with other fishermen and boaters, and frequently brought home a fresh perch dinner.
In Bob’s final years, he affectionately took care of the many bird and animal varieties that visited his property including sandhill cranes (Jeanette’s favorite).
A devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, he will be sadly missed and is survived by his daughter, Bobbi Ann (Richard) Waelti; grandsons, Jamie (Tiffany) Olp, and Alex (Jessica) Olp; and great- grandchildren, Khloe, Kayden, Mason and Brielle.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Jeanette Coleman; mother, Lavina Coleman; son, William Joseph Coleman; and father, Robert W. Coleman, Sr.
Robert’s remains will be cremated, with Pfotenhauer Funeral Home in charge. His only wish was for a private memorial event with his immediate family, thus there will not be a funeral.
On behalf of his entire family, our special thanks go out to the caring staff and residents at Tender Hearts Assisted Living and Heartland Hospice and for their loving care.
In lieu of flowers or donations, please consider supporting Wisconsin’s Bird Protection Fund at https://www.wisconservation.org/grants/bird-protection-fund Condolences for the family are welcome at www.PfoenhauerFuneralHome.com
