Robert John Stuempfig

“Well done, Bob!” Pastor Paola’s words rang true as a true gentleman, loving husband and dad, a respected businessman, when he went to Heaven. His smile and the photo he requested, robed in a Packer blanket as they won the game, were his loving farewell. Bob was born to Leonard and Rose Stuempfig in Waukesha when its south side was a kid’s wide-open playground. After high school he worked for dad as a stock boy at Stuempfig Paint Co. In 1959 he completed training as an Army Military Policeman and was honorably discharged from National Guard service in 1965.

When Leonard died in 1959, Bob took the reins at Stuempfig Paint with his brother Don, and later Bob’s son, Michael, came on board. He and Bonnie Andersen met courtesy of her boss, Bruce Pollock, married in 1966, and saw 58 anniversaries, the 50th in Hawaii when niece, Kerri Pyka, included them in a family trip. They also enjoyed an Alaska trip and Michael’s Jamaica wedding. 

With daughter, Vicki, and son, Michael, the family took many camping and road trips in hard-to-come-by time away from the business. After the store closed in 2004, he liked running into past customers and hearing, “Where am I gonna get my paint now?”

Bob’s favorite place was outdoors, skiing, photographing wildlife, sunsets and flowers, bow-hunting, canoeing, hiking, gardening, and later in life, fishing on Lake Michigan with his brother, Don. At home they put in a lovely water feature containing rocks he got at his 70th birthday party, with dragon-wing begonias around its waterfall and aquatic plants in the stream. The grandkids loved it.

In 2019, his daughter Vicki designed an apartment for her parents in their home. She, husband Jon, their son Cole, daughter Brooke, 3 dogs and 3 cats, made it possible for Bob and Bonnie to have the best of everything, including care and security. They then were closer to Michael, his wife Jen, and grandson, Nathan. Bob worked in and loved the yard, birdwatching, deer sightings, talks with family, and when he later couldn’t be active, watching musical and outdoor videos on YouTube. Bob is survived by his wife, Bonnie; daughter, Vicki (Jon) Nease;  son, Michael (Jenny); brother, Don (Barb); cousin, Joyce (Bill) Vorpahl; sister-in-law, Lynn (the late Dan) Stuempfig; sister-in-law, Shari (Mike) Manke; grandsons, Cole and Nathan; granddaughter, Brook; and his cat, Maiah. He is further survived by many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, and grand-nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Aunt Margaret Lodes; brother, Dan Stuempfig; cousins, Jim Lodes and Joan Wolfe; and grand-nephew, Owen Zingler.

Dr. Thomas Wittmann, P. A. Lucas Ebert, and staff at Moreland Family Medical and ER staff at Oconomowoc Memorial Hospital are thanked for their loving care of Bob. He was a lifelong member of Salem United Methodist Church where he had served as a Trustee. Thanks to Pastor Paola Benecchi and the congregation for their love, prayer, and support. 

A Celebration of life at Salem will be held on Friday, December 6, visitation 2-4 p.m., followed by the service and a meal. Memorials appreciated to Salem U.M. Church, 541 Hwy. 59, Waukesha 53186. 

Cremation Society of Milwaukee is serving the family.