Robert Ledvina

Robert James (Bob) Ledvina, husband, father, grandfather, friend, departed this life from his home in Racine on August 6, 2016. Bob was born in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, on February 28, 1927, the youngest of three children. His parents were Edward and Emma (Nee: Kowalski) Ledvina. Bob graduated from high school in 1945, and immediately reported for duty in the U.S. Army. He served in Germany as a member of the allied-occupied forces. He took advantage of the G.I. Bill, attending Drake University and earning a business degree.

Bob worked for Wisconsin Telephone Company for more than thirty years, until he took early retirement after the break-up of the Bell companies. He wasn’t ready to slow down, so he worked for M&I Bank and for Molbecks. He volunteered for various organizations, including Meals on Wheels, the Telephone Pioneers of America, and the Racine Heritage Museum, where he served as Volunteer Coordinator and as jack-of-all-trades for the 1888 Bohemian Schoolhouse. Bob served for more than 55 years as a Mason, State of Wisconsin, Berlin Lodge F.&A.M. He also served on the board of Preservation Racine, and on various committees for the City of Racine, including the Community Development Committee and the Redevelopment Authority.

Bob married his first wife, Carolyn Wells, in 1952. They divorced after 12 years and two daughters, realizing their world-views were not compatible. Bob married his second wife, Susan Klees, in 1981, after a long courtship. They were married for almost 35 years until Susan’s death in January of 2016. Bob was a hands-on guy. He liked nothing better than restoring and maintaining the beauty and functionality of old things, including his historic home in Racine and his 1956 Porsche Speedster.

Bob is survived by his daughters Patricia (Gary) Himes and Ellen (Jerry) Garland, and also by his grandsons, Blake and Chris Hofstrom, all of Tulsa, Oklahoma. His wife, Susan, preceded him in death as did his parents and siblings.

A memorial service will be held at the funeral home, Tuesday, August 16, 2016, 11:00 A.M. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to the Racine Heritage Museum, 701 Main Street, Racine, WI, 53403, where funds received are earmarked for education at the 1888 Bohemian Schoolhouse. Bob was proud of his Bohemian heritage.

The family thanks Bob’s personal caregiver, Tammy, and the professional and compassionate caregivers of Heartland Hospice, without whom Bob would not have realized his wish to remain at home.