Robert "Bob" Wayne Stephan

Robert “Bob” Wayne Stephan, 95, of Mt. Pleasant, went to his heavenly home on December 7, 2025. He was born in Racine on May 11, 1930, to the late Frank and Pearl (Nee: Ulrich) Stephan.

Bob graduated from Wm. Horlick High School in 1949. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Journalism from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. From 1952–1954, he served in the U.S. Army Signal Corps during the Korean War, repairing electric teletypewriters (TTYs).

Bob married his high school sweetheart, Marilyn J. Miller on April 25, 1953, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Racine. They shared 67 wonderful years together. After working various jobs in sales, he worked at The Racine Journal Times in classified advertising for 25 years, retiring in 1990. During his 35 years of retirement, Bob and Marilyn enjoyed traveling with friends and spending time with family.

A lifelong music lover, especially of country music and Red Foley, Bob played the piano and had a natural ear for music, which allowed him to pick up instruments such as the accordion, violin, and harmonica. He was a lifelong member of First Evangelical Lutheran Church, where he served in many roles over the years as a member of the board of elders, choir, church council, finance committee, stewardship committee, and ushering committee. In his younger years he taught Sunday School.

Bob was a loving husband, father, and grandpa who treasured his family. He was a man of strong faith, knowing Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior which was reflected in his warm smile and sincere heart.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Marilyn, in 2020, and his brother and sister-in-law, Russell and Lydia Stephan, both in 2022.

Surviving are his children, Curtis (Dawn) Stephan and Mary (Scott) Pierce; grandchildren Christopher (Leah) Pierce, Sarah (Isaiah) Marquardt, and Amy Stephan; great-grandchildren Malachi and Moriah Pierce; nieces Kathy (Ralph) Born, Karen (Mike) Hagen, and Jenny (Kirk) Thut; and other relatives and dear friends.

A service will be held at First Evangelical Lutheran Church, 728 Villa Street, Racine on Monday, December 15 at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. John Roekle officiating. Relatives and friends may meet with the family prior to the service beginning at 10:00 a.m. Interment will take place at 1:30 p.m. at Graceland Cemetery.

Memorials to First Evangelical Lutheran Church have been suggested.