Robert Gericke

Robert Leroy Gericke, husband, father, business executive, and military officer, passed away peacefully of natural causes at the age of 88 on Thursday, August 5, 2021, at Century Oaks in Appleton, Wisconsin.

Born in West Allis, Wisconsin, on March 15, 1933, he was the son of the late Leroy and Lillian (Speerschneider) Gericke. He spent a special portion of his childhood on his grandfather and grandmother's farm in Door County. Bob graduated from high school from the Northwestern Military and Naval Academy in Delafield, Wisconsin.

On December 28, 1954, he married Beverly Ann Higgins on a beautiful winter evening at the Congregational Church in Sturgeon Bay, which was decorated for Christmas. They lovingly raised four children in 67 years of marriage, and he was immensely proud of his family.

He attended the University of Wisconsin in Madison and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics. He also earned an advanced degree from the University of Wisconsin's Graduate School of Banking.

His military service was an important aspect of his life. He proudly enlisted in the United States Army, received an ROTC scholarship, and served in active duty as a captain in the military police, followed by years in the Army Reserve.

His professional career began as an Assistant Vice President of the M&I bank in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In 1967 he became the Vice President of the Dairyman's Bank in Clintonville, and in 1970 was elected as the President of Valley Bank of Seymour (now BMO Harris Bank). Through banking, he was committed to helping many local families and businesses.

His community involvement was an ever-present part of his life - he was a member of the Rotary Club, Kiwanis, and Chamber of Commerce. Bob was the Chairman of the Seymour Boy Scouts, and served on the Board of Directors for the Heartland Cicero Insurance Company and Valley Bank.

He was an active part of the United Methodist Church, where he was a trustee and led its new building committee. In 1981, with the community and 15 local churches, he was instrumental in the planning and opening of Seymour's Good Shepard nursing home.

Bob was an avid Packers and Wisconsin Badgers fan. He had a kind heart and gentle soul that loved camping, boating adventures, fishing and sharing the outdoors with his family in Door County.

He is survived by his wife Beverly; his children, Michael Gericke (Suzanne Zumpano), David Gericke (Melanie Creger), Sharon Molloy (Gericke), and Scott Gericke; and his four special grandchildren, Olivia and Austin Gericke, and Lindsay and Jaime Molloy.

In addition to Bob's parents, he was preceded in death by his sister Betty, who passed away as a young child, and remained in his thoughts throughout his life.

His life will be celebrated at a memorial service at Seymour's New Life United Methodist Church on Saturday, August 21, 2021. Visitation will be from 10am until the time of services at 11:30am. Muehl-Boettcher Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Online condolences to Robert's family may be expressed at www.muehlboettcher.com