Robert M Birkholz

Our world slowed and came to a halt as we had to say goodbye to a wonderful man. Robert Michael Birkholz (Engine Bob) passed peacefully at home in the company of family on March 18th, 2026 at the young age of 56 after losing his hard battle with stage 4 colon cancer.

Bob was the first son of Michael and Susan (Moeller) Birkholz. He came into the world April 21st, 1969 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. His little brother, Scott, was born in November of 1974.

As a boy, Bob would tinker with everything he could get his hands on. He would pull it apart and then figure out how to put it back together. Bob could fix almost everything. Also from a young age he had a love for dirt bikes and everything else motorized.

When Bob was 19, he met his wife, Kris, in Lakewood, Wisconsin. They led a wonderful and adventurous life together. Many moves and jobs later they welcomed their first daughter, Kaitlin, into the world on March 8th, 1997, which made Kris's son, Eric, a big brother. Bob and Kris bought their first house February 19th, 1999. Then four years later to the day, they had their second daughter, Alisa. In June of 2025 Bob's little buddy, Waylen, was born to Alisa and her husband, Trenton.

In addition to Bob's business building or rebuilding engines and transmissions he enjoyed many interests: motor sports of many kinds, stargazing, tracking airplanes and the weather on his phone apps, his shop kitties, Legos, cacti, traveling, music, concerts, and he had a major sweet tooth. A big part of his life was dedicated to motocross and offroad truck racing. Bob met so many friends who became more like family along the way. Lots of those friends became an amazing support during hard times and especially after Bob's cancer diagnosis.

Bob's big sense of humor, laugh, and smile will be greatly missed. He was so dang smart and could fix just about anything.

Bob is survived by his parents, Susan and Michael; his brother Scott (Jessie); his wife, Kris; his children, Eric, Kaitlin (Ryan), and Alisa (Trenton); his nephews, Aidan and Evan; and his grandchildren, Waylen and Naomi.

We will have Bob's celebration of life on June 27th, 2026 at our place starting @ 2p.m. We will be outside and have a big bonfire closer to sunset. Sue, Bob's mom, will make a big batch of sloppy joe's and we invite you to bring a dish to pass, BYOB and chairs. Let's hope the weather cooperates.