Robert R. "Bob" Henzl

RACINE – Robert (Bob) R. Henzl, 88, passed away unexpectedly Monday morning August 26, 2024 in Racine, WI. On July 9, 1936, Bob was born to Leopold and Amalie (Hotarek) Henzl in Milwaukee, WI. Bob was a graduate of Riverside High School in Milwaukee.

Furthering his education, he attended the Milwaukee Extension Division of the University of Wisconsin, where he was quarterback on the school’s football team. He was in the first graduating class of UW-Milwaukee, after the school was established with the merger of the Milwaukee Extension Division and Wisconsin State College, Milwaukee. Bob was president of his fraternity Tau Kappa Epsilon and was homecoming king. He received an undergraduate degree in political science from UWM and a law degree from Marquette University.

It was at UWM that Bob met the love of his life, Sally Jo Anderson. After finishing law school, Bob proudly served two and a half years with the Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps. He and Sally married in Pewaukee, WI on June 9, 1962, beginning 62 wonderful years together. They moved to Fort McClellan in Alabama where Bob was stationed. Their first daughter Jennifer was born on the Army base.

After Bob’s service in the Army, he and Sally moved to Racine, WI where their children Ann-Elise and John were born. Bob joined the law firm which eventually became Hostak, Henzl & Bichler. Bob practiced law for more than 60 years, specializing in real estate and development, estate planning and administration, business transactions and tax matters. He worked full-time until the date of his death.

Always community and civic minded, Bob volunteered his time serving on many committees and boards. Bob served as a Trustee and Secretary of the Prairie School, was a national board member of the Les Aspin Center for Government at Marquette University, a member of the Wisconsin Professional Baseball Park District Board, and was an active volunteer, adviser and supporter of numerous candidates for office.

Bob’s devotion was his family, and he cherished the time they spent together at their cabin, especially during some wild karaoke sessions. Also in his spare time, Bob enjoyed watching classic movies on TCM, keeping up with the news by listening to 89.7 WUWM Milwaukee’s NPR, watching Packers games, attending plays at the Milwaukee Rep and at the Stratford Festival in Ontario, Canada, cheering on his granddaughters in all their endeavors, and most of all spending time with Sally.

Bob will be remembered for his great love for his family, his steady and calm demeanor, his sense of humor, and his dedication to his community.

Survivors include: Bob’s wife, Sally; his children Jennifer, Ann-Elise and John; his granddaughters, Sadie, Molly, Natalie, and Adrienne; his sister Grace Trochta; his sister-in-law Katie Redfield and her husband Jerry; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins; and many dear friends. Bob was preceded in death by: his parents; his siblings, Leo, Vlasta, Edward, Valerie, and Alma; and his son-in-law, Matthew McVey.

On Saturday, September 7, 2024, a Memorial Service will be held at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Racine at 1:00 PM. Relatives and friends may meet with the family at the church on Saturday from 11:30 AM until the time of service. In lieu of flowers, memorials have been suggested to United Way of Racine County, Racine Montessori School, HALO, Inc., Racine Art Museum, or a charity of your choice.