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HISCHKE, Robert H., age 87

Died: Sunday, August 30th, 2015

Funeral Service: 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 9, 2015 at Evergreen Funeral Home with the Father Paul Hoffman officiating

Visitation: family will receive friends one hour prior to service

Private Interment

 

Robert "Bob" Hischke, age 87, of Eau Claire died peacefully on Sunday, August 30, 2015 in the Critical Care Unit of Mayo Clinic Health System - Eau Claire surrounded by his family.

Bob was born on November 21, 1927 to the late Henry and Opal (Peterson) Hischke in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. His family moved to Iron Mountain, MI and then settled in the Prairie Farm/Hillsdale/Barron, WI area where in 1945, Bob graduated from Barron High School. Following graduation, Bob worked as a cheesemaker for the Four Town Cheese Factory in Prairie Farm until he joined the U.S. Army in April of 1947.

His eagle eye and steady aim of his hunting youth, translated to Cpl Robert Hischke becoming a rifle range instructor at Ft. Knox, KY. After serving 1 ½ years in the Army, he switched his allegiance to the U.S. Air Force which became a 23 year career for him. He had many assignments, including a tour with the 1st Air Postal Squadron as a postal inspector during the Korean War. During this assignment, he met his future wife at a USO club in Japan. After a 6 year courtship, in March 29, 1957, he married Toshiko. Newly married, he was then assigned to California, where his son, William was to be born. Later, he was sent with the 479th Tactical Fighter Wing, George AFB as administrative support to stem the '62 Cuban Missile Crisis. Reassigned back to Japan in 1965, he was now a family man. Returning stateside in 1967, he finished his Air Force career during the Viet Nam War as the Base Sargent Major of Wurtsmith AFB in Michigan.

Having spent most of his adult life traveling, Bob moved his family back to Wisconsin in 1969 to be closer to his relatives. After a short time in Marinette, WI, he moved his family to Eau Claire in 1970 to work for the U.S. Postal Service. Here he worked the dock, sorted mail, worked the window, delivered mail and helped with on-time delivery. He was a union member and officer. He enjoyed spending time with his co-workers bowling in the Postal League. While working at the post office, Bob took advantage of the G.I. Bill to advance his education obtaining Associate Degrees in Electronics, Computer Science and Accounting during the early 70's and late 80's.

After twenty years with the postal service, he finished his second career and settled into retirement. Unappreciative of her husband's new free time, Bob found temporary work with the WI D.O.T. placing road counters throughout northern Wisconsin. He also volunteered to help the elderly prepare their taxes. During his retirement, Bob and his wife traveled plenty, visiting friends and relatives from France to every corner of the U.S. He enjoyed spending time with family; brothers, sisters, in-laws, nieces, nephews, dozens of cousins and of course, his wife and son. Most will remember him sitting across a table, playing cribbage with a martini in his hand.

Bob is survived by his loving wife of 58 years of marriage, Toshiko of Eau Claire; son, William of River Falls; brother, Paul (Katie) Hischke of Medina, OH; sisters, Lois (Dan McNeil) Donbert of Brandenton, FL and Marlene (Wayne) Nelson of Menomoniee, MI; and sister-in-law, Danielle Hischke of France. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and cousins of which he loved.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Jim; sister, Loralee; and brother-in-law, Richard Donbert.

The family would like to express their gratitude to the staff of the Critical Care Unit of Mayo Clinic Health System - Eau Claire. You are truly angels.

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