Obituary: Robert Graef
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Robert ‘Bob’ Graef, 90, of Sturgeon Bay, passed away late Thursday night, March 31, 2016 at Golden Living Center-Dorchester in Sturgeon Bay.
He was born Robert John Graef on July 19, 1925, in Chicago, IL, the son of Henry Hubert Graef and Magdalen (Elenz) Graef. Robert attended St. Alphonsus School in the Lakeview neighborhood of Chicago, IL. He entered into active duty with the United States Marine Corps on October 7, 1943, fought in the Pacific theater during WWII. Robert was honorably discharged on February 9, 1946 with the rank of Corporal and received numerous service medals. On April 24, 1948, he was united in marriage to Maude Marie Scanlan in Chicago. They shared nearly 68 years of marriage together.
His professional career consisted of many years as transportation manager in the trucking business, including Consolidated Freightways and REA Express. Later in his career he joined the Prudential Insurance Company and spent over 15 years building the business until retirement with Maude in Door County.
Robert and Maude were members of S.S. Peter & Paul Parish in Door County, where he was in charge of the ushers for years. In his younger days, Robert was an Eagle Scout, Scoutmaster and Committee Chairman with the Boy Scouts of America, and after moving to Sturgeon Bay, kept active with the organization. He also was past Commander and member of local VFW Post 3088, former Paymaster and Adjutant Marine Corps Senior Vice Commander as a member of the Marine Corps League-Door Peninsula Detachment 1130, both in Sturgeon Bay. Bob was also a founding member of Door Property Owners. Son George and Robert shared a passion for boating, while son Steve and Robert were fortunate to have flown in 2011 with the Old Glory Honor Flight to Washington, DC, with over 100 veterans, to see the WWII Memorial.
Robert is survived by his dear wife, Maude, two sons, Steven (Nadine) of Westchester, IL, and George (Michelle) of Kenosha, WI, and four grandchildren: Kirstin (Patrick) McGinnis, Christopher (fiancé Emily LoCicero), Timothy (Madalon Weiting) and Amanda; sister, Margaret “Marge” Leahy of Lake Geneva, WI; sister-in-law Viola Graef of Mt. Prospect, IL. Preceding him in death were his parents, and brother, Henry.
Visitation is from 5 – 8 pm, Friday evening, April 8, 2016 at Huehns Funeral Home (1414 Michigan St., Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235) with the wake service prayers at 7 pm.
Another visitation will be held Saturday morning, April 9, at S.S. Peter & Paul Catholic Church (4767 Dunn Rd., Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235) from 9 – 10:15 am. A Mass of Christian Burial will immediately follow at 10:30 am with Fr. Bob Stegmann as celebrant. Military honors by the Marine Corps League Door Peninsula Detachment 1130 and VFW Post 3088 will follow mass. Robert will be laid to rest in Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Union Grove, WI on Monday, April 11.
Memorials may be given in Robert’s memory to the Old Glory Honor Flight program and the Boy Scouts of America – Bay Lakes Council. Condolences and guestbook signing may be offered at www.huehnsfuneralhome.com.