Obituaries & Guestbook

Robert Thomas Bourdeau, 75, passed in his home on January 9th, 2024. He was born September 10, 1948, in Iron Mountain, MI to late Napoleon J. and Olivia B. (McCraw) Bourdeau. Bob attended St Willebrord’s Catholic Grade School and graduated from Premontre High School in 1967. Shortly after he graduated, he enlisted in the U.S, Navy, becoming a Gunner’s Mate on the USS Barney out of Norfolk, VA with deployments in the Atlantic and Mediterranean. He was seen by his fellow sailors as upbeat, humorous and a “friend to all” who took his duties very seriously. Bob was honorably discharged in 1973, and moved back to Green Bay where he married Diane Cherney.  The two shared an interest in the outdoors. In 1976, they welcomed a son Jesse.

Bob spent his years after the Navy as a home builder, as well as working on the Alaskan pipeline and for Bay Ship. He fondly recalled the summers mentoring his nephew, Jerry Rix of Texas at his cottage on the Bay in Dykesville. He retired from Green Bay Public Schools as the lead night shift custodian at Franklin Middle School. Bob was an avid outdoorsman who did several segments on Fox 11 Outdoors with his friend Jim Bucholtz, and alway look forward to hosting his friends for the opening of trout season at his family cabin in Republic, MI. He shared several passions with his older brother Napoleon, including canoeing, fishing, hunting, shooting and gunsmithing. The two pursued many projects and endeavors together. He eagerly taught his son, Jesse, to fish, shoot, hunt and ride a dirt bike/atv at very early ages. The two enjoyed many adventures “up north” together, as well as a passion for cars, motorcycles, and classic rock. Bob was also an active member of the family hunting cabin in Fence, WI. He took great pride in the work and maintenance he did at the cabin, and getting together with extended family and friends for Deer Season was his favorite time of the year. In his later years, he took advantage of living close to his son Jesse, daughter-in-law Anna and grandson George and was always eager to visit and babysit.

He is survived by his son Jesse, daughter-in-law law Anna and grandson George Bourdeau, his former wife Diane Cherney, nieces Mary K. Rix and Jeanne (Micheal) Bourdeau-Heller and many beloved extended family members.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother Napoleon J. Bourdeau, a sister Constance A. Rix, nephews Paul J. Bourdeau and Jerry L. Rix.

Please join Bob’s family in honoring his life at a memorial and reception on Saturday, February 24^th at Proko-Wall Funeral Home, 1630 E. Mason St. Green Bay beginning at 11:00 a.m.  Full Military Honors will take place at 12:30 p.m. at the funeral home.  The reception will then continue until 1:00 p.m.