Robert T. "Bob" Silvis passed away on May 28, 2017 at age 91. A longtime resident of Monroe, Bob was born on October 14, 1925 in Grand Rapids, Minnesota to Clarence and Althea (Wybrew) Silvis. In high school, he played basketball, competed in ski jumping, ran track, sang in the choir, and played the violin. After graduation in 1943, he joined the US Navy and was a motor machinist mate, Second Class. He served on the submarine USS Parche (SS-384) during WWII until 1946. During retirement Bob authored a book about the some of the exploits of the Parche. Bob and all his shipmates were honored by having their names memorialized on the bronze plaque at the WWII Submarine Memorial at Pearl Harbor, commemorating the USS Parche (SS-384).
On November 25, 1946, he married Frances Sykora of Browns Valley, Minnesota and settled in South Beloit, Illinois before moving to Monroe in 1962. Bob owned Carter Machine Works in Monroe for many years, using his talent and skill to design, fabricate, and improve a number of products including car haulers and lifesaving race car roll bars. He held a US patent on a milk and whey tank system. He then took a position as Plant Engineer at Advance Transformer and spent many years setting up production plants throughout the US and Mexico, before retiring in 1992. He was member of Toastmasters, the Monroe Theater Guild, St. Victor's Parish and was active in the Knights of Columbus. He was very proud to be the second person in the history of the Monroe Fire Department to be named an Honorary Fireman in recognition of his volunteer service to the department during the Swiss Colony fire, on the Monroe Square, in 1965. His longtime passion was following and supporting his children and grandchildren's many athletic events.
Bob was preceded in death by Fran, his wife of 62 years. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather known to all his grand kids as "Grandpa Daddy." He is survived by his 10 children: Anne (Gene) O'Brien, Carolyn (Jack) Elston, Kay Silvis, Robert (Deb) Silvis, David (Susan) Silvis, Steve (Ingegerd) Silvis, Patti (Mark) Glendenning, Rodney (LeeAnn) Silvis, Lori (Jeff) Donovan, and Mary (Kirk) Larson. He is also survived by grandchildren: Jamie (Rachel) O'Brien, Mike (Jen) O'Brien, Sean (Emily) O'Brien, Colin (Vanessa) O'Brien, Jim (Amie) Elston, Chad Elston, Justin (Jordan) Silvis, Jackie Silvis, Jorie and Merrick Silvis, David, Erik, and Clarence Silvis, Caroline Neal, Caitlin (Andrew) Becker, Tony and Daniel Glendenning, Brian and Chad Larson, Lindsey (Matt) Peisert, and James (Teresa) VanDenBogart. In addition, he is survived by his great-grandchildren: Jason, Madeline, Brodey, Connor, Charlotte, Abby, Pearce, Graham, Justin, Nicholas, Ashlynn and Eden. He is also survived by nephew Mike (Patti) Silvis and many other nieces and nephews.
Bob was a caring and compassionate man. He was always ready to lend a hand and loved a good road trip. His family and friends will miss his quirky sense of humor, his silly pranks, and his singing of Mississippi Mud.
The family would like to say thank you to the staff at Pleasant View for the wonderful care they provided Bob and also thanks to all his friends and community members who visited him during his stay.
A Memorial Mass will be held on Thursday, July 6, 2017, at 11:00 a.m., at St. Clare of Assisi Parish at St. Victor Catholic Church with Monsignor Larry Bakke officiating. Inurnment will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Monroe. The Newcomer Funeral Home, Monroe, is assisting the family. Condolences may be shared at www.newcomerfuneralhome.net.
On November 25, 1946, he married Frances Sykora of Browns Valley, Minnesota and settled in South Beloit, Illinois before moving to Monroe in 1962. Bob owned Carter Machine Works in Monroe for many years, using his talent and skill to design, fabricate, and improve a number of products including car haulers and lifesaving race car roll bars. He held a US patent on a milk and whey tank system. He then took a position as Plant Engineer at Advance Transformer and spent many years setting up production plants throughout the US and Mexico, before retiring in 1992. He was member of Toastmasters, the Monroe Theater Guild, St. Victor's Parish and was active in the Knights of Columbus. He was very proud to be the second person in the history of the Monroe Fire Department to be named an Honorary Fireman in recognition of his volunteer service to the department during the Swiss Colony fire, on the Monroe Square, in 1965. His longtime passion was following and supporting his children and grandchildren's many athletic events.
Bob was preceded in death by Fran, his wife of 62 years. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather known to all his grand kids as "Grandpa Daddy." He is survived by his 10 children: Anne (Gene) O'Brien, Carolyn (Jack) Elston, Kay Silvis, Robert (Deb) Silvis, David (Susan) Silvis, Steve (Ingegerd) Silvis, Patti (Mark) Glendenning, Rodney (LeeAnn) Silvis, Lori (Jeff) Donovan, and Mary (Kirk) Larson. He is also survived by grandchildren: Jamie (Rachel) O'Brien, Mike (Jen) O'Brien, Sean (Emily) O'Brien, Colin (Vanessa) O'Brien, Jim (Amie) Elston, Chad Elston, Justin (Jordan) Silvis, Jackie Silvis, Jorie and Merrick Silvis, David, Erik, and Clarence Silvis, Caroline Neal, Caitlin (Andrew) Becker, Tony and Daniel Glendenning, Brian and Chad Larson, Lindsey (Matt) Peisert, and James (Teresa) VanDenBogart. In addition, he is survived by his great-grandchildren: Jason, Madeline, Brodey, Connor, Charlotte, Abby, Pearce, Graham, Justin, Nicholas, Ashlynn and Eden. He is also survived by nephew Mike (Patti) Silvis and many other nieces and nephews.
Bob was a caring and compassionate man. He was always ready to lend a hand and loved a good road trip. His family and friends will miss his quirky sense of humor, his silly pranks, and his singing of Mississippi Mud.
The family would like to say thank you to the staff at Pleasant View for the wonderful care they provided Bob and also thanks to all his friends and community members who visited him during his stay.
A Memorial Mass will be held on Thursday, July 6, 2017, at 11:00 a.m., at St. Clare of Assisi Parish at St. Victor Catholic Church with Monsignor Larry Bakke officiating. Inurnment will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Monroe. The Newcomer Funeral Home, Monroe, is assisting the family. Condolences may be shared at www.newcomerfuneralhome.net.