Bob Chambers, age 91, of Seneca, passed away August 8, 2023, after a wonderful life. Bob was the eldest of three children, born on October 30, 1931, to Stuart and Edna (Germann) Chambers in Monroe, Wisconsin. He grew up on the family farm in South Wayne, Wisconsin. Bob’s early education was in a one-room rural schoolhouse. Bob graduated from South Wayne High School in 1949 and continued his education at UW-Platteville. He then served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict (1951-1953), much of that time stationed in Italy. After being honorably discharged, he returned to college in 1953. Bob graduated in 1955 from UW-Platteville with a Bachelor of Science degree in agriculture with minors in music and biology. Bob loved music and loved to dance! He played in the Bill Chambers Polka Band during his college career and beyond. Bob met the love of his life, Reva Neuenschwander, at a polka dance at Turner Hall in Monroe where they loved to dance the polka. Reva and Bob were married on May 31, 1959, in St. John’s United Church of Christ in Monroe. In 1955, Bob was hired as a schoolteacher by the School District of Seneca where he enjoyed a 40-year career. Bob taught choir, band, biology (for 16 years) and driver’s education. While teaching, Bob continued his education with his major in Music and worked on his Masters during summers and evenings at UW-Platteville. One of Bob’s proudest moments was when the Seneca Band played a short concert for President Jimmy Carter in Prairie du Chien along the Mississippi River while he was campaigning for re-election in 1980. Bob retired in 1995 and continued to fill in as a substitute teacher for another 18 years at Seneca. Volunteering and community service was important to Bob. He was a Wisconsin DNR volunteer Hunter Safety Instructor for 40 years instructing most of his children and grandchildren. Bob was a Charter member of the Seneca Lions Club and served as President for three consecutive years. He was an active, dedicated member of the Seneca United Methodist Church and Eastman Methodist Church. He was a member of the Eastman American Legion Post 252, a member of the Crawford County Aging Board and a dedicated member of the Seneca Educational Foundation for 15 plus years. Bob and Reva loved to travel, especially with longtime friends, Roger and Sally Piehl. During retirement, they traveled to Europe (twice), Alaska and Canada (three times), Hawaii, New York City, Washington DC, Arizona and Colorado. Bob loved to reminisce about the fun they had with Roger and Sally. Bob enjoyed hunting, fishing, mushroom hunting, vegetable gardening and growing raspberries/strawberries. One of Bob’s most memorable pastimes was growing pumpkins for the grandchildren and hand carving their names into their pumpkins and playing Santa Clause two weeks prior to Christmas to deliver goodies. They were always waiting for Santa. He was a dedicated sports fan and enjoyed watching the Wisconsin Badgers (football and basketball), Green Bay Packers and Milwaukee Brewers. Bob was an avid fantasy football player for many years. Each year, Bob decorated for every holiday, but Christmas was his specialty. When traveling through town you could not miss Bob Chambers’ Christmas light display - viva Las Vegas!! Bob loved attending his children and grandchildren’s music and sporting events. He enjoyed Seneca High School basketball. You could always spot Bob and Reva in the crowd cheering on the Seneca Indians. He cherished the time he spent with his family, especially his grandchildren, creating memories that they will always remember. He loved his family and was very proud of all their accomplishments. Bob was preceded in death by his daughter, Lori Ann in infancy, his parents and his brother, Bill Chambers. He is survived by his wife, Reva; Children: Randy (Marcia) of Lancaster, Russell (Julie) and Robbie (Kayla) of Seneca, Ronda (Keith) Casper of Onalaska, Renee (Jeremy) Quellhorst of Chaseburg; Sister, Barbara (Ron) Thurston of Horicon; Grandchildren: Kaitlin (Scott) Shulka Michaela (Jordan) Boone, Mason and Chase Quellhorst, Kolton, Kendra and Kylie Chambers; Step Grandchildren: Joey (Krystal) Casper, Todd (Samantha) Casper; Great Grandchildren: Rhett Shulka and Tate Boone; Step Great Grandchildren Isla, Lucy and Walker Casper, Marli, Malcolm and Wynslow Casper. The family would like to thank Norseland Nursing Home and St. Croix Hospice for the loving care he received.
Funeral Services will be Saturday, August 12, 2023, at 11:00 A.M. at the United Methodist Church in Prairie du Chien, with burial in the Greenwood Cemetery in Monroe, WI on Monday, August 14, 2023, at 11:00 A.M. Friends may call at the Garrity Funeral Home on Friday, August 11, 2023, from 4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. and also at the church on Saturday from 10:00 A.M. until the time of service. Military Honors will be accorded after the service on Saturday by the Prairie du Chien Honor Guard. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be given to the Bob Chambers Scholarship, the Seneca Educational Foundation, the Seneca Lions Club or Eastman Methodist Church.
