Robert "Bob" E. Schliesmann

With his family by his side, Robert E. “Bob” Schliesmann, age 83, passed away peacefully at his residence on Friday evening, November 3, 2023. Robert was born in Racine on September 21, 1940, son of the late George and Ella (nee: Kubert) Schliesmann and had been a lifelong resident.

Bob graduated from St. Catherine’s High School “Class of 1958”, and then earned an associate degree in Fire Science. On January 21, 1961, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, he was united in marriage to the love of his life, Christy Gianforte. They raised three children, Michael, Dawn and Jennifer, and shared sixty-two beautiful years together. Bob was employed with the Racine Fire Department for thirty-two years before retiring as a Captain in 1997. Bob was a member and former trustee of St. Mary’s by the Lake Catholic Church. He sang with the Church Singers and enjoyed breakfasts with his fellow firefighter retirees. Following retirement, Bob enjoyed over 20 years wintering in Mesa, AZ and his time volunteering in their senior community. A true cheesehead, he loved cheering on the Packers and Brewers. Bob will be best remembered for his great love and devotion to his family. He will be dearly missed.

Bob will be dearly missed by his loving wife, Christy; children, Michael (Jean) Schliesmann of Gilbert, AZ, and Altoona, WI, Dawn Schliesmann of Mesa, AZ, and Jennifer (Kevin) Janzer of Racine; grandchildren, Julie (Jeff) Linder, Kristina (Matt) Hutzler, Victoria Lafferty (Chase), Mary (Daniel) Worm, Mike (Stacey) Schliesmann, and Sarah Schliesmann; great grandchildren, Dylan Waite, Grace Dexter, Jacob Livingston, Amelia Hutzler, Miles, Graham, and Hayes Worm, Eli and Chloe Schliesmann; sister-in-law, Margaret Gianforte; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. In addition to his parents, Bob was also preceded in death by his sister and brother-in-law, Elizabeth “Betty” and Ralph Paur, sister-in-law, Cathie Peterson, and nieces Nancy Toscano and Joanne Riffer.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Mary’s by the Lake, 7605 Lakeshore Drive, Friday, November 10, 2023, at 10 am. Private interment will be held at Holy Cross Cemetery, Hwy 32. Relatives and friends may meet Thursday at the funeral home 5-7 pm and on Friday at the church 9-10 am. Memorials to Racine Fire Bell Club or Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

The service will be live streamed and may be viewed by going to Bob’s page on the funeral home website, select service and select live stream.

The family extends a special thank you to Dr. Choi and staff at the Ascension Cancer Center and his many caregivers the past few years for their loving and compassionate care.