Robert "Bob" Lukoski

Robert “Bob” George Lukoski, age 83, died at All About Life in Fond du Lac, WI on Tuesday, January 31, 2017. He died with family by his side. Bob has been a resident at All About Life since he suffered a stroke in January of 2016. Bob has commented that he wouldn’t wish a stroke on “his worst enemy”. All About Life became home for Bob, mostly because his granddaughter Kayla works there as a Director of Social Work. He was often “out of sorts” when she had a day or two off of work.

Bob was born in Fond du Lac, WI, on June 30, 1933, to George and Vera (Colligan) Lukoski. He grew up in Ripon his whole life and he was an only child. He surrounded himself with many friends both young and old so he didn’t isolate himself. He often shared many great childhood memories and stories about so many special acquaintances to his family and friends.

Bob married his high school sweetheart, Carol (Voysey) Lukoski on Novemeber 28th, 1953. They were married for 63 years and had 4 children. When reminded that Mom and he were married for 63 years recently he simply said “Wow”! Carol will now have the tough job of adjusting to life without “Luke” in it. Not only is Bob survived by Carol, but also 3 sons and 1 daughter and 10 grandchildren. Bob’s 3 sons and families include Dave (Sherry) Lukoski of Ripon, WI and grandchildren Ben Lukoski of Albuquerque, NM and Kayla Lukoski of Fond du Lac, WI: Tim (Karen) Lukoski of Arlington Heights, IL and grandchildren Brenna, Garrett, and Kathlin Lukoski: Todd Lukoski of Clintonville, WI and grandchildren Luke and Laura Lukoski: and Bob’s daughter Annie (Ron) Fenner and grandsons Austin, Hayden, and Landon. He was preceded in death by his parents George and Vera Lukoski.

Bob was a family man and worked almost his entire life. He was a man who thrived on accomplishing things and found purpose through work. He wore “many hats” in his lifetime. He enlisted in the Air Force in 1951 with some special buddies. He thoroughly enjoyed being a refueler on the B29’s. He was tickled and honored when his family gave him the gift of participating in taking a flight with other veterans when EAA featured the B29’s just a few years ago. He always said that was a “highlight” for him.

When Bob returned to Ripon after being in the Air Force he became a truck driver/ground man for Wisconsin Power and Light and then transitioned into being a water works supervisor until retirement. He was employed by WP&L for 47 years until retirement. Bob prided himself in the fact that he only missed 1 ½ days of work in those 47 years. His family always pointed out the fact that he probably made a lot of co-workers sick by coming to work all the days he probably should’ve stayed home. Bob joined the Ripon Fire Department in 1962 and remained on the Department for 31 years. He was the Fire Chief for 16 of those years. Yet another job he really took pride in, and he sincerely enjoyed leading “a group of great guys”.

Another “part-time” job he enjoyed was being a WIAA referee for basketball at the high school level. He and his partners would travel around to different nearby cities to officiate games. When he no longer enjoyed the physical side to sports he became the “color man” for WRPN radio for both Ripon High School athletics as well as Ripon College football and basketball games. Being the voice of the Ripon Tigers was a great joy for him, especially when the Ripon Tigers brought 2 State Football trophies home in 2003 and 2005. Bob was also instrumental and very proud of his role in getting field turf at Ingalls Field in Ripon as well as countless other projects he helped facilitate on other sports fields for our community. He is so gracious to all the friends that helped with all these rewarding projects he was so passionate about.

In his lifetime Bob seemed to accumulate many nicknames. Some of these include “Dick”, “Truckee”, “Chief”, “Luke”, “BobL”, “Lucas”, and was most affectionately known as “Ooo-Ooo” by his grandkids, kids, and even Carol. It has been rumored that “Bob Lukoski Enterprises” gave frequent fictitious donations to unknown entities. Bob’s family will dearly miss all the stories he told that went along with these nicknames.

Bob’s family would like to give a special thank you to all the staff at All About Life, Mercy Medical, Heartland Hospice, and all the support and frequent visits from family and friends. A special thank you to Kayla for the love and care she gave to her Grandpa this past year.

Bob has been a proud member of St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church/St. Wenceslaus. He loved being catholic and attending mass regularly.

Visitation will be held for Bob on Thursday, February 9, 2017, from 4 – 8:00 pm at Butzin-Marchant Funeral Home, 515 Mayparty Dr., Ripon, WI 54971 and again on Friday, February 10, 2017, from 10 – 11:00 am at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, 228 Blossom St., Ripon, WI 54971.

Funeral Service will be held for Bob on Friday, February 10, 2017, at 11:00 am at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, 228 Blossom St., Ripon, WI 54971, with Full Military Honors to follow. Father William Whalen will officiate. A private inurnment for the family will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, a memorial is being established in his name.

It would be Bob’s wish that anyone who knew him would try to get to a ballgame sometime soon, look up an old friend, and work hard each and every day!

Please visit www.butzinmarchant.com to send online condolences.