Obituary for Robert J. "Bob" Verzal Jr.
Robert “Bob” Joseph Verzal, Jr., 60, of Merton, Wisconsin, passed away unexpectedly on January 1st, 2023.
Bob was born to Beverly (Letkiewicz) and Robert Verzal, Sr., and raised in Milwaukee, WI. From an early age, he always wanted to understand how things worked, and how to push the limits of his parents’, teachers’, brother’s, and sisters' patience.
He attended Thomas More High School graduating in 1980. In his sophomore year, he joined the band at school where he found his first passion in life, the electric guitar. By Junior year he had formed a band with his buddies from school called Entropy playing songs from the Styx, Journey, Eagles, and original music.
It was at this point in his life he found love at first sight, in the produce section at Kohl’s Food Store as Bob and Cindy met each other’s gaze. They dated for 2 years, then married on September 17, 1983. In 2023 they would have celebrated 40 years of marriage.
In 1992 Bob and Cindy moved from Milwaukee to Merton where he built his house and raised his family. It wasn't long before he joined the Merton Fire Department as a volunteer firefighter and EMT. He served for 13 years achieving the rank of Lieutenant and led the initiative that resulted in Merton’s first ambulance.
Bob began his career at Quad Graphics for 13 years before he transitioned into cabinetry where he started his business, Woodcrafters Kitchen & Baths, and then into construction at CG Schmidt, KPH Construction, and lastly, Beeler Construction. He was due to retire in 2024 after 22 years. Throughout those 22 years, his biggest accomplishments/projects were: Elmbrook Hospital, VA Hospital Milwaukee & Tomah, 128th Refueling Wing, Milwaukee Courthouse, Milwaukee Mitchell Airport, Hotel Northland, and Froedtert Hospital.
Bob was always a hard worker in everything he put his mind to; achieving many accolades and achievements over the years, including an associate degree in Electro-Mechanical Technologies at MATC, a black belt in Tae Kwon Do, building his own business for 10 years named Woodcrafters Kitchen & Baths, 40 years of bowling with (2) 300 games and many 299 games. However, Bob would tell anyone his most outstanding achievement was his family and his terrible dad jokes.
Bob always understood how important organ donations are but saw the value of them firsthand as a Firefighter/EMT in the Merton Fire Department. Through his own organ donations, he will be able to help up to 60 individuals. Bob changed the lives of many who never had the pleasure of knowing him. He left an even bigger impact on those of us who did.
His legacy continues through his wife Cindy, their children; Brian Verzal (Clare Tuma), Cory (Nicole) Verzal, and Dustin (Vanessa) Verzal, and their granddaughters Bella Overholt and Carter Tuma, his mother Beverly Verzal, siblings Colleen Sullivan, Kathy (Alan) Werth, Tom (Chris) Verzal, Mary Verzal, mother-in-law Shirley Gritzmarcher, and in-laws John (Sue) Gritzmacher, Jean (Dave) Klement, Nancy (Kevin) Baaske, Lorie (Alvin) Harvey, Dennis (Barb) Gritzmacher, Sally (Paul) Krickeberg, Cathy (Paul) Meier, and Tim (Linda) Gritzmacher. Many aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews also survive him.
He was preceded in death by his father, Robert Verzal, Sr., father-in-law, Gerald Gritzmacher, and brother-in-law William Gritzmacher.
IN LIEU OF FLOWERS; the family requests donations to be made to thE WERTHy Foundation. thE WERTHy Foundation provides resources to facilities and institutions that aid families with a child who is dealing with seizures/epilepsy. Donations can be made here, https://thewerthy.org.
Visitation Friday, January 13, from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at the Schramka Funeral Home, 13220 W. Capitol Dr., Brookfield, followed by a Funeral Service at 7:00 PM.
Bob was born to Beverly (Letkiewicz) and Robert Verzal, Sr., and raised in Milwaukee, WI. From an early age, he always wanted to understand how things worked, and how to push the limits of his parents’, teachers’, brother’s, and sisters' patience.
He attended Thomas More High School graduating in 1980. In his sophomore year, he joined the band at school where he found his first passion in life, the electric guitar. By Junior year he had formed a band with his buddies from school called Entropy playing songs from the Styx, Journey, Eagles, and original music.
It was at this point in his life he found love at first sight, in the produce section at Kohl’s Food Store as Bob and Cindy met each other’s gaze. They dated for 2 years, then married on September 17, 1983. In 2023 they would have celebrated 40 years of marriage.
In 1992 Bob and Cindy moved from Milwaukee to Merton where he built his house and raised his family. It wasn't long before he joined the Merton Fire Department as a volunteer firefighter and EMT. He served for 13 years achieving the rank of Lieutenant and led the initiative that resulted in Merton’s first ambulance.
Bob began his career at Quad Graphics for 13 years before he transitioned into cabinetry where he started his business, Woodcrafters Kitchen & Baths, and then into construction at CG Schmidt, KPH Construction, and lastly, Beeler Construction. He was due to retire in 2024 after 22 years. Throughout those 22 years, his biggest accomplishments/projects were: Elmbrook Hospital, VA Hospital Milwaukee & Tomah, 128th Refueling Wing, Milwaukee Courthouse, Milwaukee Mitchell Airport, Hotel Northland, and Froedtert Hospital.
Bob was always a hard worker in everything he put his mind to; achieving many accolades and achievements over the years, including an associate degree in Electro-Mechanical Technologies at MATC, a black belt in Tae Kwon Do, building his own business for 10 years named Woodcrafters Kitchen & Baths, 40 years of bowling with (2) 300 games and many 299 games. However, Bob would tell anyone his most outstanding achievement was his family and his terrible dad jokes.
Bob always understood how important organ donations are but saw the value of them firsthand as a Firefighter/EMT in the Merton Fire Department. Through his own organ donations, he will be able to help up to 60 individuals. Bob changed the lives of many who never had the pleasure of knowing him. He left an even bigger impact on those of us who did.
His legacy continues through his wife Cindy, their children; Brian Verzal (Clare Tuma), Cory (Nicole) Verzal, and Dustin (Vanessa) Verzal, and their granddaughters Bella Overholt and Carter Tuma, his mother Beverly Verzal, siblings Colleen Sullivan, Kathy (Alan) Werth, Tom (Chris) Verzal, Mary Verzal, mother-in-law Shirley Gritzmarcher, and in-laws John (Sue) Gritzmacher, Jean (Dave) Klement, Nancy (Kevin) Baaske, Lorie (Alvin) Harvey, Dennis (Barb) Gritzmacher, Sally (Paul) Krickeberg, Cathy (Paul) Meier, and Tim (Linda) Gritzmacher. Many aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews also survive him.
He was preceded in death by his father, Robert Verzal, Sr., father-in-law, Gerald Gritzmacher, and brother-in-law William Gritzmacher.
IN LIEU OF FLOWERS; the family requests donations to be made to thE WERTHy Foundation. thE WERTHy Foundation provides resources to facilities and institutions that aid families with a child who is dealing with seizures/epilepsy. Donations can be made here, https://thewerthy.org.
Visitation Friday, January 13, from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at the Schramka Funeral Home, 13220 W. Capitol Dr., Brookfield, followed by a Funeral Service at 7:00 PM.