Obituary: Robert Nickel

November 3, 1960 ~ February 2, 2022

Robert Nickel, 61, died on February 2, 2022. He was born in Ripon, WI, on November 3, 1960, to Harvey and Mary Ann (Poritz) Nickel and raised in Princeton, WI. 

On June 11, 1988, Bob married the love of his life, Mary (Klapatch), at St. Hubert’s Catholic Church in Casco, WI. Together, they spent 33 happy years making their home in Algoma, then Sturgeon Bay, and finally Green Bay.

Bob graduated in 1978 from Princeton High School. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Education degree from UW – Whitewater, a Church Music Certificate from Silver Lake College, and a Master of Arts in Education degree from Marian University. His teaching and school administration career spanned 39 years working in the Algoma, Sevastopol, and Sturgeon Bay School Districts retiring on July 1, 2021. Bob also served as a church musician in Princeton, Richmond, Whitewater, Algoma, Sturgeon Bay, Jacksonport, and Green Bay. In both his school and church work, Bob felt privileged to have had the opportunity to touch the lives of so many people.

Bob is survived by his wife, Mary; daughter, Beth Wartella (fiancé, Nick Van Oss and son, Liam); son, Loren (Angela); brother, David (Cheri and son, Michael); and father, Harvey. 

He was preceded in death by his mother, Mary Ann.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, March 25, 2022, at First Presbyterian Church, 200 South Ashland Avenue, Green Bay with Rev. Katie Estes pastor, and Rt. Rev. Paul Graf, Bishop of The Moravian Church, officiating.

Friends may call from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Thursday, March 24, 2022, at Huehns Funeral Home in Sturgeon Bay. The family will continue with visiting at First Presbyterian Church Friday, March 25, 2022, from 12:00 p.m. until 1:45 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Unity Hospice or the Sturgeon Bay High School Auditorium Project.

Huehns Funeral Home, Inc. in Sturgeon Bay is assisting the Nickel family. Expressions of sympathy, memories, and photos of Robert may be shared with his family through his tribute page at www.huehnsfuneralhome.com.