Obit: Luchterhand, Robert Alvin "Bob" (1922 - 2015)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Luchterhand, Widmann, Williamson, Phillips, Schwichtenberg, Dvorak, Schmidtke, Bahn

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 3/18/2015

Luchterhand, Robert Alvin (Bob) (22 January 1922 - 12 March 2015) With Flag

Robert ‘Bob’ Luchterhand, 93, Granton, went to his eternal home Thursday, March 12, 2015, at the home of his son, daughter-in-law and grandson. He died from heart failure.

Robert Alvin Luchterhand was born Jan. 22, 1922 at the home farm near Spokeville, close to Loyal. He attended a one-room schoolhouse at Spokeville and completed eighth grade, then helped on the family farm until he enlisted in the U. S. Army in 1942.

He served as an anti-air-craft machine gunner during World War II; landed on Normandy beach on D Day, fought in the Battle of the Bulge and two other battles. At the end of the war, he guarded several captured Nazi officials, such as Rudolph Hess, as they were house in defeated Germany. He was honorably discharged from service as a private first class Dec. 18, 1945.

He was married to Lenore H. Widmann Feb. 7, 1948, at Christ Lutheran Church in Marshfield. They built a house in Marshfield, and he worked at Badger Store Fixtures as a carpenter. After purchasing a dairy farm in the Town of Sherman, Clark County, Robert and Lenore gave birth to and raised three children. They continued farming until they sold the farm in 1976.

After retiring from faming, he worked as a carpenter at Sav-Rite Building Supply. In 1978, he and his son, Ken, started a Yamaha motorcycle and snowmobile shop in rural Granton and continued that business until 1985.

Robert love hunting and was an avid hunter and fisherman. He enjoyed hunting in Wisconsin as well as taking trips to Alaska, Wyoming and Colorado for big-game hunting.

His passion also included his dedication to the American Legion and VFW in Neillsville. He was honored with a special ceremony by the American Legion Sept. 1, 2014, for his duty to the country during World War II. He also enjoyed spending time at the Sportsman Club meetings in Granton and the Senior Center Club in Chili. He was widely known for his skill in baking cakes.

Robert is survived by his son, Ken (Joanna) Luchterhand of Melrose, daughter, Melody (Kim) Williamson of Pine River; daughter-in-law, Joyce Luchterhand of Eau Claire; four grandchildren, Lisa Phillips, Lori (Michael) Schwichtenberg, Nicole (Dean) Dvorak and Kennan Luchterhand; six great-grandchildren: Courtney, Morgan, Abigail, Elizabeth, Joshua, and Finley; and two great-great-grandchildren, Owen and Aubrey. He is further survived by a brother, Melvin (Ruth) Luchterhand of Loyal, and a sister, Doreen (Don) Schmidtke of Odebolt, IA.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Lenore; son, Tom; granddaughter, Julia; son-in-law, Glen; and brothers: Gerald and Orville.

A funeral service was held for Robert at 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 17, 2015, at Christ Lutheran Church in Marshfield. Pastor Daryn Bahn officiated. Visitation was held from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, March 16, 2015, at the Gesche Funeral home in Neillsville also Tuesday morning one hour before the service at the church. Interment was in the Town of Grant Cemetery with full military rites accorded by the Neillsville Veteran’s Council.

Online condolences may be mad at www.geschefh.com.  The Gesche Funeral Home is assisting Robert’s family with funeral arrangements.