Robert "Bob" Elrick

 Robert “Bob” Elrick, age 79, entered Eternal Life on Thursday, November 11th, 2021.  Bob was born on June 13th, 1942, son of John “Jack” and Irene (Lamers) Elrick.  He grew up in Little Chute, the second of five children.  He attended St. John’s Grade School and High School and then attended the University of Wisconsin Madison.   Bob proudly married his high school sweetheart and love of his life, Mary Peeters at St. John Nepomucene in 1962.  Early in life, Bob was proud of earning the Boy Scout’s “Ad Altare Dei Award” offered to Catholic Youth for developing a fully Christian Way of Life.  He was an avid hockey player and enjoyed shooting pool, taking 4th place in NE Wisconsin Pool Championship in 1976.  He also enjoyed hunting, sailing, fishing, and woodworking. Bob’s career began at Badger Northland as a scheduler, eventually ascending to Vice President of Manufacturing.   During his time at Badger Northland, he was Charter Director of International Material Management Society, 1981-1982, served as Chairman of the Board at the Heart of the Valley Chamber of Commerce, 1991-1992, and was an instructor at FVTC, teaching inventory management.    Bob always had an entrepreneurial spirit, which he inherited from his father, and has passed on to his sons, from helping his father start Jack’s Pizza to creating businesses with his boys.  He always put others first, and this was profoundly visible in the time he spent helping his sons develop their businesses.  His three boys will always cherish their time working with Dad. Bob and Mary enjoyed remodeling cottages and had several over the years, but eventually found a property near Poy Sippi on Lake Poygan that will forever be in their hearts. The property became their home and is a place with countless memories for family and friends.  In 2007, Bob and Mary became snowbirds and purchased a townhome in Ocean Springs, Mississippi where Bob was active in the Knights of Columbus Council #5654.  There he enjoyed flounder fishing on the community dock, walking their White Westies Terriers on the beach, and spending a little time at the casinos, mostly dining, and doing a bit of gambling.  Wherever Bob and Mary resided, they have developed strong and lasting friendships.

Bob is survived by his loving wife Mary, in their 60th year of marriage; sons: Chris (Kris), Greg (Debbie), and Joe (Kathy); grandchildren: Hannah and David; Maggie and Michael (Shaylah); Jacob (Alecia), Grace (Justin) Sell, Elizabeth and her special friend Adam Thiede: great grandchildren Jack and Ava, with two more to arrive in May: sister and brothers; Don, Lynn, and Jeff (Connie): sisters and brothers-in-law and; Pat (Jerome) Diedrich, Chuck (Kim) Peeters, Kitty Peeters, Joe (Barb) Peeters, and Amy (Jeff) McLaughlin.  He is further survived by many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, his father and mother-in-law, Eugene “Shorty” and Bernice (Kappell) Peeters; sister Pat Bundy; sisters-in-law: Lisa Peeters and Karen Elrick; brothers-in-law: John Peeters and Clarence Bundy.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 17, 2021, at St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church, 411 Vandenbroek Street, Little Chute, with Fr. Ron Belitz officiating. Visitation will be at the church on Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the Mass. In lieu of flowers, memorials directed to JDRF would be appreciated. Interment will be in the parish cemetery. For online condolences, please visit www.verkuilenfh.com. 

The Elrick family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at St. Elizabeth Hospital for their wonderful care and compassion. 

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