Robert Russell Earling, 86, Green Bay, passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 29, 2022. His loving wife Judy was by his side at the place he loved the most, the cottage, in Lakewood WI. He was born on April 17, 1936, in Appleton Wisconsin to the late Russell and Hazel (Amore) Earling. He graduated from Appleton Senior High School with the class of 1954, as a 3 sport athlete including baseball, football half-back, and a track dash man. Bob then attended the University of Colorado in Boulder graduating in 1958 with a degree in Business. In 1959 he earned his MBA in Finance from the University of Wisconsin Madison and spent the rest of his life as a loud and proud Badger Alumni.
Bob went to work for WI Public Service in Green Bay before he ‘stumbled’ into a job at a small furniture company called Krueger Metal Products. He worked as Director of Purchasing and VP of Product Design and Development. Bob spent 26 years building Krueger International, retiring in 1992.
On April 6, 1999, he married Judith Roeske-Brey at St. Jude Catholic Church in Green Bay.
Bob was a man of Catholic faith, a man that worked hard and spent wisely, and dedicated his life to his family and community. He was an avid outdoorsman and explorer, who loved grouse hunting, fishing in Canada and Alaska, camping with his family, biking, and cross-country skiing. Bob volunteered at the Green Bay homeless shelter.
His family always came first. Years of caring for his mother, Hazel, who spent much of her life just a few doors down, taking care of aunts, uncles, and cousins in times of need, spending holidays with his sisters, and years of infinite love for his wife, children, and grandchildren.
Bob taught his family the importance of hard work and honesty. He was a humble and sincere man, never pretending to be something he wasn’t, and was always easy going and quick-witted. He enjoyed the simple pleasures in life. Bob was physically active until the end of his life, often seen lifting weights or walking the track at the Y and Bellin Health.
Bob touched many people’s lives with his generosity and love. He will be missed to all who were lucky to know him. Graciously we will live on, cherish, and pass down so many fond memories.
He is survived by his wife, Judith; children, Amy (Richard) Schultz, St. Paul, MN; Timothy (Natasha) Earling, Redondo Beach CA; and Jessica (Matthew) Wellnitz, Minneapolis MN; step-children, Jeffrey (Cindy) Brey; Cedarburg, WI; Dr. Steven Brey, Palatine, IL; and Thomas (Ann) Brey, De Pere WI; grandchildren, Emma Schultz, Owen Schultz, Josephine Wellnitz, Gretchen Wellnitz; step-grandchildren, Dr. Stephanie (Ryan) Eberling, Andrew Brey, Daniel Brey, Timothy Brey, Steven Brey, Nicholas Brey, Samuel Brey, Vincent Brey, Ava Brey and Emmett Brey; great granddaughter, Madeleine Eberling; sisters, Mary Totten and Terese (Brian) Kobinsky; and many other nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother-in-law, Raymond Totten
Bob’s children would like to extend their appreciation to Judy, who was his loving and dedicated wife for over 23 years. Bob would not have lived so fully until the age of 86 without her by his side, and for that, we are forever grateful.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, October 6, 2022, at Prince of Peace Catholic Church, 3425 Willow Rd., from 9:00 a.m. until the time of Mass. Funeral Mass 11:00 a.m. Thursday at the church with Rev. Dennis Ryan officiating and Rev. Ron Belitz concelebrating. Burial will take place in the Allouez Catholic Cemetery. Online condolences may be expressed at www.prokowall.com. To view the livestream of the Mass, please visit the Prince of Peace Catholic Community Facebook page (popgb54311) at 11:00 a.m.
In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, a memorial fund is being established.