Robert P. Bertch Sr.

Robert Paul Bertch Sr. passed away peacefully on Monday, February 26, 2018 at 12:00pm surrounded by his loving family at Avanti Health & Rehab Center in Minocqua, WI at age 97. This good man walked this earth for almost 98 years and lived in Sylvania, Ohio; Bristol, Indiana; Whidbey Island, Washington and finally in his beloved Boulder Junction where he fished and hunted as a young lad with his cousin, Wanda Nelson.
Bob was born in Toledo, Ohio, on March 29, 1920. Bob graduated from Libby High School in Toledo, Ohio, in 1938. He joined the US Army on February 6, 1942 and served in the 7th Army Signal Corp as a radio operator. He received severe injuries in Germany when the Jeep that he was riding in blew up from a land mine causing him to spend 7 months in a French Hospital recuperating. He was later discharged November 24, 1945. He received the Purple Heart, American Theater Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, EAME Theater medal with 2 Bronze Stars and the Victory Medal for his service. He was an Expert marksman, receiving the Gold Medal for marksmanship shooting 223 out of 225 bullseye targets with 39 out of 40 standing. He later taught the enlisted in his unit how to shoot. While in the service he met and married Evelyn Dilworth Hayward in Berlin, Maryland on February, 1st, 1943. They were married for 48 years. He worked prior to and following his army service with New York Central Railroad and Penn Central Railroad which later became Conrail for over 40 years. He has been retired for over 37 years.
He was involved with the American Legion, VFW, Moose Lodge, and Barton Smith Masonic Lodge. He was an avid fisherman, small game hunter, bowler and golfer. He loved to play baseball and was a semi-pro baseball player for the Elkhart Moose in the late forties.
He was survived by his 3 sons, Robert Paul Bertch Jr. (Laura L. Bish), Boulder Junction, WI; James Lee Bertch (Laura Rena Bowen), Ashville, AL and Stephen Alan Bertch, McMinnville, OR. Also survived by grandchildren, Theresa L. Smith (David); Aaron R. Bertch; Amelia L. Bertch (Heath Jones), Joey Bertch (Alexis), Christy Bertch and predeceased by Jennifer Ann Bertch. His great grandchildren are Devin Lee Smith (Natasha Feudner), Joshua Robert Bertch; Shane Lucius Bertch; Jennifer Aubree Bertch, Kelsey Elizabeth Bertch and Lincoln Noah Bertch. He was predeceased by his wife, Evelyn Hayward Bertch in 1991 and his significant other, Charlene Himler, in 2008.
Visitation will be Saturday, March 3, 2018 at 10:00am with a service at 11:00am followed by a light lunch. Burial will take place on Monday, March 5th at Toledo Memorial Park in Sylvania, OH.
Memorial donations can be made to the Boulder Junction American Legion Post #451, PO Box 221, Boulder Junction, Wisconsin, 54512.
Online condolences may be shared at www.nimsgernfuneral.com
NIMSGERN FUNERAL & CREMATION SERVICES IS SERVING THE FAMILY.