Robert E Wagner

LIVESTREAM SERVICE:

Bob's Livestream Service will begin at 11 a.m. CT on Saturday, November 8, 2025. Scroll down to the Webcast section and click on “Watch Now.”

COTTAGE GROVE - Robert “Bob” Wagner, 87, a recent resident of Cottage Grove, Wis. (three years), and long-time resident of Green Bay, Wis., (over 50 years), died on September 25, 2025, after battling esophageal cancer for the past seven months, and living with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) for many years. He faced each day as he did his entire life: with love, hope, courage, and a sense of humor.

Bob’s quick wit and zest for life was infectious. His presence radiated joy, kindness, and unwavering compassion. He carried a light within him; a genuine, positive energy that shone in every encounter, whether he knew the person or it was a first-time meeting. Bob had a way of drawing out that same light and positive energy in others. He was a confidant and life-coach to many. He was an active listener. He would ask great questions and make anyone feel good about whatever career advice, investment, or other personal decision they were making.

The ripple effect Bob made with family and friends over his lifetime will be felt far and wide for generations to come. He was a father figure to many. Of the many life lessons he taught, he believed in helping those who were less fortunate, who needed help getting a start in their careers, or home, or just living. He taught his family compassion for others, how to give a genuine apology when we made mistakes, and how to be unafraid to express our love for each other with a hug and saying, “I love you.”

Bob was born and raised in Sheboygan, Wis. to Theodore “Ted” and Marcella “Marcy” Wagner. He has an identical twin brother, William “Bill” Wagner, who celebrated their 88th birthday on October 12. Bob graduated from Holy Name Grade School in 1952, and from North High School in 1956. He excelled in sports, especially baseball, making the varsity team as a freshman. He was elected school president in his senior year, attesting to his leadership and popularity. After high school, Bob joined the U.S. Army’s six-month, active-duty program and started college shortly afterwards. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a bachelor’s degree in business administration focusing on labor relations in January 1961. He loved the Badgers and the Memorial Union saying that having a union brat, beer, popcorn, and some ice cream afterwards was, “Heaven.”

Later in 1961, Bob agreed to work for the Catholic Diocese of La Crosse, Wis. for three years as a social worker when they agreed to pay for him to attend Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., to attain a master’s degree in social work. This was fortuitous. In 1962, Bob met the love of his life at Catholic University, the beautiful Melida Rincon, of Chaparral-Tolima, Colombia, at a gathering being held at the Rosary House, which was a home run by Colombian Franciscan nuns. In Bob’s words, “dancing with Melida to Latin music was as smooth as silk. I had no idea where my feet were supposed to go but holding her close was like holding an angel.” Bob not only graduated in 1963, but more importantly, he also married Melida in Giradot, Colombia, that year. Their love story is one of commitment to each other and devotion to family. They celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary on September 14, 2025. Melida, being the eldest of 12 children introduced Bob to a large extended family. With the Rincon family came the gift of Colombian culture-warm hugs, music, dancing, fun celebrations and a deep, abiding commitment to the Catholic faith. Bob embraced his new family and culture with joy; he was quickly beloved by all of Melida’s siblings, and more than a brother-in-law, he became a cherished father figure to many.

To know Bob was to know the warmth of his smile, see the mischievous twinkle in his blue eyes, and hear him joke with everyone he met. He had a beautiful voice. He sang in his high school choir, in the car, and alongside the piano his mother or Aunt Bea would play whenever they came to the house for celebrations. At best, he knew the first verse of any song. After that, he improvised and sang whatever lyrics came to mind. It was pure joy. Bob’s voice was also heard as the first parish council president at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Green Bay, where he also spoke as a lector.

Bob enjoyed working for the State of Wisconsin for 32 years in various divisions and cities in Wisconsin, but primarily with the Department of Health and Human Services in Green Bay. He retired in 1998, and wondered how he ever had time for work as he traveled to his many nieces and nephews graduations, weddings, celebrating the births of a dozen grandchildren (Kyle, Megan, Sam, Elaina, Ted, Jenna, Reilly, Sienna, Mischa, Gavin, Bodhi, and Tanner), and five great-great-grandchildren (Leilani, Kalea, Savannah, Charlotte and Tessa), attending anniversary parties, retirements, and milestone birthdays. Everyone hoped that Bob and Melida would come to their party, and Bob hoped that there was cake . . . with frosting. He especially loved the corner pieces, often pointing out which corner piece he wanted to eat.

Bob is survived by his wife, Melida; his four boys, Bob (Brenda) Wagner (Green Bay, Wis.), Paul (Patty) Wagner (Middleton, Wis.), Joe (Denise) Wagner (Cottage Grove, Wis.), Mike (Stephanie) Wagner (Fitchburg, Wis.); and his twin brother, Bill (Lyn) Wagner (Sun City West, Ariz.). He is further survived by many nieces, nephews, relatives from the Wagner, Rincon, and Meyer families, and many friends.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Ted (age 97) and Marcy (age 72); and his sisters, Joan Wagner (age 5), and Diane Toal (age 63).

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. ELIZABETH ANN SETON PARISH, 2771 Oakwood Drive, Green Bay, Wis., at 11 a.m. on Saturday, November 8, 2025. Family and friends who wish to view the Mass via LIVESTREAM may visit Bob’s obituary page at www.gundersonfh.com at the time of the Mass and click on "Watch Now" in the Webcast section. Visitation will be held at the church from 9 a.m. until the time of the Mass on Saturday.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to a charity of your choice or to U.W. Carbone Cancer Center or UW Polycystic Kidney Disease (UW PKD) Program. Donations can be made online at www.wiscmedicine.org or by mail at UW Foundation, U.S. Bank Lockbox 78807,

Milwaukee, WI 53278-0807. Please indicate in memory of Robert E. Wagner.

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson West

Funeral & Cremation Care
7435 University Ave.
(608) 831-6761