Robert James (Bob) Ledvina, husband, father, grandfather, friend, departed this life from his home in Racine on August 6, 2016.
Born in Oshkosh on February 28, 1927 to Edward and Emma (Nee: Kowalski) Ledvina, Bob was the youngest of three children. He 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, attended Drake University and earned a business degree.
Bob worked for Wisconsin Telephone Company for more than 30 years, until he took early retirement after the break-up of the Bell companies. But retirement didn’t slow him down. He he worked for M&I Bank and for Molbeck’s Health & Spice Shop. He volunteered for various organizations, including Meals on Wheels, the Telephone Pioneers of America, and the Racine County 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 after he realized 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.
Robert Ledvina Funeral Details
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Maresh-Meredith & Acklam Funeral Home, 803 Main St. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to the Racine Heritage Museum, 701 Main Street, Racine, WI, 53403. The Racine Heritage Museum will use the funds 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.