Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Lulloff, Colby, Oestreich, Zupanc, Fabreau
----Source: Tribune Record Gleaner (Loyal, Clark Co., WI) 12/19/1974
Lulloff, Bob (Clark County Coroner - 1974)
Mingling with Mary (By Mary Woods)
Bob Lulloff is pictured at his office desk in Neillsville, where his work for the newspapers, radio station, his Sears Store, and other tasks requiring book work or typing is completed.
When Bob Lulloff tells anyone that he enjoys being busy and on the run, the fact that he is involved with several different areas of work we can back him up on that statement very easily. Besides being owner and operator of the Sears Catalog Merchant Store in Neillsville, Bob is also employed at WCCN radio station as news director, served as Clark County Coroner, and writes news and takes pictures for several newspapers in the area and the state.
Perhaps the best way to write a story on Lulloff, who was born and raised in the Loyal community, and attended schools in the area, graduating from Loyal High School, a description of “just one day” may tell the story best.
For Lulloff the day begins at 5;15 a.m., when he arrives at WCCN, and puts the radio station on the air bringing music, and news and bits of interest to the area people, who are up at that time, most likely the farmers. Staying at the station until 8:15 a.m., he then moves on to the Sears Store, and opens it up for business. Again at 10 o’clock he goes and collects various news items in the community and prepares for the noon news report, and leaves the station when the report is aired. After a lunch, if time permits, he goes back to the store, and serves the customers until the store closes. But, in between noon and the store closing Lulloff runs to get news, responds to all coroner calls in the county, a position he has held since 1957, and prepares news items to such papers as the Tribune-Record-Gleaner, Milwaukee Journal, Eau Claire Leader-Telegram, Marshfield News- Herald, and other medias which he is associated with, including United Press International.
Looking back on how he became involved in the different jobs, Lulloff recalls that after his graduation from high school, he began working for R. B. Colby, owner of a grocery store, for $20 doing such things as butchering, and processing eggs. In February of 1946, he was drafted into the Army and served in the “Army of Occupation” until August of the following year. Returning to the Loyal area after his service time, he began working for Lothar Oestreich at the Shell Station, and in August of 1951, took over the Loyal City Service Station, now Zupanc Motors. In 1952, Lulloff made another move and accepted a job as clerk in the Loyal Post Office, but due to not enough hours, whatever that may be to him, he moved to Neillsville. But, during the same time that he was employed at the post office, he worked at the Loyal Tribune, then owned by Lee Fabreau, doing such jobs as hand setting type, casting, and did press runs along with doing the advertising accounts. When he wasn’t at the post office or the Tribune, he managed to take a Dry-Cleaning run to the Greenwood, Willard, and Longwood area … and during the summer months ran a concession stand at the ball games Sunday and Wednesday evenings!
When he did resign from the post office, and the other three part-time jobs, he began working for the Marshfield News-Herald as a stringer for the Neillsville area. According to Bob, the job that he had applied for had been filled, but after reading his letter of inquiry, the, the editor of the Herald hired him for the job that he is still presently engaged in. Today Lulloff sends numerous news items from the county such as court news, coroner reports, and other news items which are of interest to the community.
In September of 1957, another area of work was included in his schedule, that of being news director for radio station WCCN, along with serving as copy writer and Sunday morning announcer. After a few weeks at the station, he gave up his job at the Marshfield paper but was to return to the job in 1958.
Today Lulloff still maintains his job at WCCN, and serves the other positions that were mentioned at the beginning of the story.
As for his start in the Sears Catalog Merchant Store, Lulloff note that is was a rather “unplanned” move, but one day the former owner stated that he was going to see, and Bob, showing some interest, discussed the purchase, and has owned and operated the business up to this date. Commenting on the purchase of the store, he notes that his wife was strongly against the move, but today she has changed her viewpoint, and anyone will agree with Bob that she is a great asset to the business, and serves the customers the way they should be treated!
Besides his work, Lulloff enjoys belonging to the Neillsville Rotary, and has served as president, secretary, and on the board during his 19 years as a member. He is also a member of the Wisconsin Coroner Association, and has served as president, and is a member of the International Association of Coroner and Medical Examiners. As a member of the Neillsville United Church of Christ, he presently serves as a Deacon, and has served as a past master for the Neillsville Masonic Lodge 163. He also has served as a High Priest for the Neillsville Chapter 66, Royal Arch Masons, and belongs to the Neillsville Commandary Carmi Chapter 60, and the Marshfield Council 39, Royal and Select Masters.
It should not be omitted that Lulloff also serves as master of ceremonies for various county activities such as the Fairest of the Fair Pageant, Greenwood Dairy Days celebration, Spencerama, and celebrations in Alma Center and various towns and cities. This coming January he will have the honor of serving as master of ceremonies for the state Fairest of the Fair Pageant.
For enjoyment, Bob and his wife Anita also enjoy camping, and traveling, and spending time with their children and grandchildren who live in various parts of the United States.
If a trophy was ever awarded to the busiest man in Clark County, there is no doubt that Bob Lulloff would come close to winning the award, and at least be runner-up. Taking an active part in so many jobs is something that he should be commended for. His dedication to those jobs may be seen in various means and ways, and perhaps the reason that Bob does continue to “be on the run” is the simple fact that he enjoys people, and serving his community in the best way possible, is perhaps his goal. And so the next time you see Bob run up the street … don’t get alarmed … he’s just getting something done so he can go do something else!!!!!
