Robert J. Fabry

Bob was born Robert Joseph Fabry to Joseph and Blanche Fabry in Milwaukee, WI. He was honored to be the Big Brother to 6 siblings.  Jim (Mary Ellen), Jerry (Kathie), Ray (Francine), Lois (Dennis Hegman), John (Deb), Kathy (Tom Steinberger).

Bob attended grade school and High School in Bay View.

Bob met Carole who would become his future wife in the 8th grade. They started dating when they were in high school, getting together on Friday nights at CYO Dances and Sunday nights Dancing at the Eagles Club.

In 1956 Bob joined the Air Force and his first Station was Lackland AFB. After traveling through several AF bases, he was stationed in Greenland where he specialized in water treatment. After A lot of correspondence, he made it back to the states to get engaged to Carole. Bob was then stationed at Bunker Hill, Indiana.

In 1959 on a late day in June Bob married the love of his life, Carole Huennekens at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in St. Francis, WI.

The next years were filled growing their family with 4 wonderful children. Chris (Robin), Bryan (Jennifer), Randy (Debbie), Debs (Timothy Brylow). Who then gifted them with 7 grandchildren Allyson(Jordan Baron), Kayce (Andy Weaver), Megan, Eric, Darian, Ryan and Hannah. 

Bob is further blessed to have been a Great Grandfather to Charlee, Phoebe, and Jackson.

Bob worked for 35 years at MMSD where he continued his work with water treatment as a surveying crew chief and after retirement remained friends with his crew. During that time, he had fun coaching his three son’s basketball and Little league baseball teams.

Bob provided well for his family and both homes in St. Francis and in Oak Creek were homes where all the kids came to gather, hangout, and play.

Bob never missed church on Sunday’s and after church was time for Father and son bowling with long time family friends the Stubbe’s. Mike and his three sons along with Bob and his three sons made for a great Sunday morning of bowling fun.

In 1975 Bob and Carole had a card club which was comprised of two brothers families, and two sisters families. They got together once a month to play cards have dinner, snack, drink and socialize. They paid dues and were able to take an annual weekend getaway, as well as spending every New Year’s Eve together.

Bob and Carole took yearly trips to Arizona to visit their son Randy’s family, two months in the spring and every other Thanksgiving. They enjoyed spending the weekends playing cards and games with them, as well as golfing the many beautiful courses.

Enjoying most of his retirement days golfing. He loved the game and would sometimes go off track with a cold beer after 18 holes. You could ask him how he golfed, but he would answer the same - “I showed up” he was not a bragger he didn’t care about standings or competitions. He would go fishing, and not care if he caught anything. He just enjoyed sitting in the boat on the lake, because it was peaceful and reminded him of his dad.

Spending “happy hour” afternoons with a Gin martini, snacks, playing games like backgammon, gin or cribbage.

When he had spare time, he liked being in his workshop or puttering in the garage woodworking and making various crafts and gifts. He helped his daughter figure out her many ideas and they made beautiful cribbage boards together. Bob’s last adventure was teaching himself how to make projects with stained glass.

Bob was diagnosed with brain and lung cancer in February this year.

He tried several treatments without getting positive results and ultimately decided to bravely stop all treatments and stay at home with his family. We would like to thank Aurora at home hospice metro team for helping our family care for him and keeping him comfortable.

It was a blessing to have him at home with his family.

Bob lived a full life no regrets and in his words:

I will have a Gin Martini

On the rocks

In a tub

With a twist.

And If anyone ever asks – I did the best I could.     

We will be having a celebration of Bob’s life in 2021

In lieu of flowers a donation to your favorite charity in Bob's name would be appreciated.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Robert J. Fabry, please visit our floral store.