Obit: Retzer, Robert H. (1921 - 2008)

Poster: Robert Lipprandt

Email: bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Barron, Brighum, Caldwell, DeJong, Dickson, Jackson, Jones, Messmann, Meyer, Nicholson, Poulter, Retzer, Schoepke, Warmanen

----Source: The Star News (Medford, Taylor Co., WI) Thursday, August 21, 2008, Online Edition

Retzer, Robert H. (March 18, 1921 - August 17, 2008)

Robert H. Retzer, 87, Medford, died Sunday, Aug. 17 at Memorial Nursing Home in Medford.

Funeral services were held Wednesday, Aug. 20 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Medford, with Rev. Peter Warmanen officiating. Interment was at Medford Evergreen Cemetery II with full military rites performed by the Medford Military Honors Team. Active pallbearers were Dan Barron, Ronald Jackson, Dennis Jones, Galen Messmann and David and John Poulter. Honorary pallbearers were Hugo DeJong, Joseph Meyer and Walter Schoepke.

Robert Retzer was born March 18, 1921 in Superior to the late Henry and Laura (Nicholson) Retzer.

He attended schools in the Superior area and graduated from Superior East High School in 1939. He began studies at Wisconsin State College-Superior in 1939, but his studies were interrupted by his service in the United States Army. He served in the Army Signal Corps in the Philippines during World War II from March 1943 to January 1946. He then returned to Wisconsin to attend UW-Superior where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1946. He also received a Master of Education degree in administration in 1954.

On July 9, 1949 in Barron, he married Marjorie Caldwell, who survives. He started working for Medford Public Schools in January 1947 where he worked as a high school math and science teacher for 38 years, retiring in 1985. He served as head of the math department, and for many years was in charge of the high school annual, as well as serving as the high school attendance officer.

He was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church where he served on the church council and was a member of the Lutheran Men's Group; was a charter member of the American Cancer Society of Taylor County; served as secretary of the City of Medford's first Police and Fire Commission; worked for many years as a poll worker during elections in the city; and was a member of the Medford Education Association, Wisconsin Education Association Council, National Education Association and a charter member of Medford Area Retired Teachers Association.

In addition to his wife, survivors include his children, Cathy Retzer of Medford, Todd (Kathleen) of Hager City and Nancy (Dennis) Jones of Sheboygan Falls; a sister, Joyce Brighum of Milwaukee; a granddaughter, Christina (Paul) Dickson of Onamia, Minn.; three great-grandchildren, Elizabeth, Eric and Jennifer Dickson of Onamia; nieces and nephews; and grandnieces and grandnephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Merlyn in infancy.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to his family to be determined at a later date.

Hemer Funeral Service of Medford assisted the family with arrangements.