Robert "Bob" Blitzke
February 28, 1948 - February 01, 2023
Obituary
Robert “Bob” K Blitzke, age 74, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 1, 2023, at Meriter Hospital with his wife Jane Grogan at his side. Bob was born in Fond du Lac, the son of Kenneth and Mary (DuFrane) Blitzke.
Bob graduated from Goodrich High School in 1966 and immediately headed to Great Lakes Naval Station. He served 4 years in the US Navy, which included time in the submarines service. After his discharged he headed to Madison to attend UW Madison. Bob was united in marriage to Jane Grogan on July 24,1981.
Bob was an easy man to love. He had a smile for everyone, and he loved to talk to people. But he didn’t only talk—he listened to what they had to say and what they wanted. Helping people was part of his heart and strength. Bob found the made-for-him job after he got his library degree—working for the South-Central Library System in the Delivery Service. Bob started as the driver of the single delivery van, but his vision expanded the book exchange service from Madison only to all the counties in the System and finally to a state-wide service. The Delivery van fleet increased to 22 by the time of his retirement in 2008. Bob’s energy and interests led him to the PLATO organization. After enjoying a variety of the course offerings, he had the idea of taking learning from the classroom to “on the road”.
Delivery was so engrained in him that he had the idea of taking people out into the world to theater productions, museums, events and of course exploring dining offerings on each trip. Bob faced many medical challenges that limited his mobility by 2019. Despite his physical challenges, Bob was always upbeat and ready to take on the next project.
Bob is survived by his wife; three sisters, Barbara Henschen of Fond du Lac, Joan (Mark) Rakow of Sheboygan, Betty (Rose Kleman) of Sun Prairie; Bob is further survived by his loving in-laws, Tom (Patricia Schweitzer) Grogan of Madison, Katie (Richard) Hoeppner of Sun Prairie, Mary Elizabeth Grogan of Tucson AZ, Jo Anne Grogan of Belleville; 11 nieces and nephews and 10 great nieces and nephews.
Bob is preceded in death by his parents; wife’s parents; and brother in-law Bill Grogan.
A visitation will be held from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Thursday, February 9, 2023, at Ryan Funeral Home, 220 Enterprise Drive, Verona, WI.
Memorials can be made out to the South-Central Library System Foundation, to Second Harvest, PLATO or organization of your choice.
To view and sign this guestbook, please visit: www.ryanfuneralservice.com.
Ryan Funeral Home & Cremation Services Verona Chapel 220 Enterprise Drive 608-845-6625