Robert H. Kuester Sr., age 88, of West Bend, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 16, 2008 at the Samaritan Health Center in West Bend.
He was born on October 20, 1919 in West Bend to the late Herman and Lillian (nee Burckardt) Kuester. Bob was raised in downtown West Bend above his family's automobile repair business, H.W. Kuester & Son's. Following his graduation from West Bend High School in 1937, Bob followed in his father's footsteps and began working as a mechanic at his family's business. A few years later World War II broke out and Bob enlisted in the Army National Guard. He served in the 32nd Division Army Band and was stationed in Australia and New Guinea. Upon his return home from the war, Bob was united in marriage to Audrey Schmidt. She preceded him in death. On November 26, 1966 Bob was united in marriage to Mary Bisdee Clark at St. James Episcopal Church in West Bend.
In 1987 he and Mary moved to Park Place Condominiums where he served as condo manager for 17 years. In his years as the manager of the condo Bob was Mr. Fix-it for everyone in the condo building. Many of the female residents relied on Bob for everything from leaky faucets to cable TV and everything in between. Bob could always fix anything and everyone knew it.
At age 80 Bob's stepson gave him an outdated computer from his office. Bob engulfed himself in learning everything he could about the computer and soon he had to upgrade and get high-speed internet access. Many people over the past 8 years have been touched by Bob's emails.
Bob was also past governor of the West Bend Moose Lodge.
He is survived by his loving wife, Mary; his son, Robert Kuester Jr. of West Bend; and his two step-children, James (Jane) Clark of Mequon, and Sally (Douglas) Frisbey of Harbor Springs, MI. He is further survived by five grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and many other dear relatives and close friends.
A Mass of the Resurrection in honor of Bob will be held on Thursday, January 24 at 7:00 pm at St. James Episcopal Church. (Corner of Eighth Ave. and Walnut St. in West Bend) Father Kevin Carroll will be the celebrant. Visitation will be on Thursday at the church from 6:00 pm until the time of Mass. Burial of Bob's cremated remains will be in the St. James Columbarium.
In lieu of flowers, memorials to St. James Episcopal Church would be greatly appreciated by the family.