Robert Zold Obituary

Robert K. Zold

September 16, 1933 - December 29, 2024

It is with profound sorrow and stillness that we announce the passing of beloved family member and friend Robert Kenneth Zold "Bob/Bobby," at age 91. Robert passed into peaceful rest on December 29, 2024, in Racine, Wis.

Robert was born September 16, 1933, into the Kremer addition Zold enclave in Racine, Wis. Robert was Catholic and descended primarily from immigrants from Telkibánya, Hungary and locales in Ireland/Northern Ireland. As a teenager Robert excelled in academics and in many sports, especially baseball and football, and graduated from Horlick High School. At UW-La Crosse, where he earned a BA in Physical Education, his football team in the 1950s earned a berth in the Cigar Bowl, Tampa, Fla. This was followed by an invitation to try out for the NFL Chicago Cardinals team. This opportunity unfortunately was not fulfilled due to a subsequent draft into the Army ca.1955. While stationed in Friedberg, Germany, Robert played American football for the US team.

In 1957, Robert married the former Irmgard Bickel and raised two sons, Kenny and Kevin. Robert began his teaching and coaching career in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and also earned a Master's degree at the University of Iowa. His tennis and wrestling teams were successful and earned numerous city and regional championship awards. He then returned to Racine, Wis., in the 1960s with his family and continued his career in Racine Unified School District as a teacher and coach. At Unified, Robert's career flourished as he became Principal of McKinley Junior High School, followed by promotion to the Assistant Superintendent of Schools in the late 1970s-80s. Robert completed his education by earning a doctorate in education from UW-Madison in 1973. In 1978 Robert married Margaret Oman "Peg," and they were wed 43 years at the time of her passing in 2021.

Robert was highly respected for his dedicated service in the school district and won many awards and accolades including Citizen of the Year and Principal of the Year, and induction into the Educator's Hall of Fame. Robert received dozens of thank you cards from teachers, students and parents that he had helped and motivated during his tenure. Late in his career, he also served as President of AWSA (Association of Wisconsin School Administrators) as well as a part-time adjunct professor of educational administration at Marian University. In his spare time, he also helped manage the family properties through the Zold Corporation. Robert also contributed to preserving the family history by collating and saving dozens of scrapbooks, mementos and hundreds of family photos. According to a search of ancestry family records reaching back 300 years, Robert was only the second male ever amongst his lineages to reach the age of 91.

Robert was offered the top position of Superintendent of Schools but declined and decided to retire ca. 1990 to devote full-time to his second passion, the family properties on Lake Metonga in Crandon, Wis. that his parents had originally acquired in 1958. Robert and Peg curated and fully developed this beautiful three plot family compound of a home, cabin, and mobile trailer situated in the woods and on the lake with piers and multiple boats for family, friends and neighbors to enjoy. There were 50 years total of memorable times spent in Crandon amongst four generations of Robert's family, with countless parties, bonfires and boating.

Robert was admired and known for his tireless work ethic and energy, exceptional health and vitality, personal dignity, discipline and responsibility, many talents and self-taught skills and unwavering positive attitude and sense of humor. Prior to the onset of Alzheimer's disease at age 82, he was constantly active and was rarely ever ill and served as his wife's primary caregiver during her illness. As a testament to his character and resilience, Robert successfully adapted to St. Monica's Senior Living for nine years as he navigated his journey through Alzheimer's disease, his final challenge in life.

Robert is survived by his brother, James Zold Sr.; son, Kevin Pirelli; grandsons, Jason and Andrew Zold; great-granddaughters, Lily and Aleigha Zold; nephews, Bobby, Ron, Tim, Jeff, Russ, and Jerry Zold; great-nieces/great-nephews and many cousins. Robert is further survived by his kind and helpful friends and honorary family members, Patricia and Rick Kinzer and Jim and Debbie Dubiel.

Robert was preceded in death by his wonderful and supportive parents, Joseph Zold Sr. and Pearl Despins who were immensely proud of him; wives, Irmgard and Margaret; son, Kenny Zold; brother, Joseph Zold, Jr. "Sonny;" nephews, Gary and James Zold, Jr. "Jimmy;" 12 aunts and uncles and several cousins.

A special note of thank you to Sister Vaneeta and the staff of St. Monica's Senior Living Center and St. Croix hospice.

Robert was one of our very best, leaving a lasting impression with his extremely successful and exemplary life, and a rock of exceptional stability and strength. His family and friends remain to cherish their memories with him, and to continue and expand upon his legacy of excellence and accomplishment, as we await the blessed hope of the resurrection to eternal life. As we have read, the trumpet will sound and the dead will be raised incorruptible (1 Corinthians 15:52).

A visitation will be held on Friday, January 10, 2025, from 5 to 7 p.m., (Everyone is welcome to deliver eulogies, stories and anecdotes, sing, dance or play an instrument!)

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, January 11, 2025, at 11 a.m., at St. Rita Parish, 4339 Douglas Avenue. Interment will take place in West Lawn Memorial Park.

Purath-Strand

Funeral Home & Crematory

www.purathstrand.com

3915 Douglas Avenue

Racine, WI 53402

(262) 639-8000