Robert (Bob) E. Pardee

With much sadness we share the passing of Robert (Bob) Pardee. He died peacefully in the early morning hours of September 16, 2021 at ThedaCare Regional Medical Center. His family was at his bedside. He was 92 years old.

Bob was born in Appleton on September 7, 1929 to Al and Mary Pardee. He and Rita Bohman were married 68 years ago on April 11, 1953, in Albuquerque, NM.

Bob graduated from Appleton High School in 1947. He served in the US Air Force from 1951 through 1955. He was stationed at Sandia AFB in New Mexico; also overseas at Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan. After his military service, he and Rita moved to a farm in the Town of Harrison. He worked for many years as a draftsman and mechanical designer in the Fox Valley. In later years, Bob and Rita took over The Woodshed in Menasha where they restored furniture. When they retired, the couple enjoyed winter months in Texas.

Throughout his life, Bob enjoyed hunting, fishing and woodworking. He had an ear for music; he played the piano. In 1995, he caught a record-breaking 92-pound catfish in Texas. His catch was certified by the National Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame as a world record in rod and reel.

Left to celebrate Bob’s life and mourn his passing are his beloved wife, Rita, and four daughters and sons-in-law: Susan and Ken Moran; Nancy and Tom Tompkins; Linda and Gil Drewa; and Mary Pardee and Dale Cox. Six grandchildren will miss their Grandpa Bob, too: Brent Hauble, Sheila Hauble, Rob (Mary) Tompkins, Brian Tompkins, Nick Drewa and Kevin Drewa. Bob also has four great grandchildren:  Max, Hannah, Harrison and Orin. Bob is further survived by his sister, Betty Meyer, and in-laws Helen Bohman, Dolores Krueger, Lawrence (Marcella) Bohman, and Clarence (Beverly) Bohman.

He was predeceased by a brother, Dick Pardee, and Dick’s wife Ingrid; brothers in-law Roland Meyer and Merlin Krueger; and good friends Bill Arnold and Roger Chesebro.

A memorial service will be held at 11 AM, on Tuesday, September 21, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, N369 Military Rd., Sherwood. Visitation will be Tuesday at the church from 10 AM until the time of the Mass, with full military honors to follow. At the family’s request, please bring your favorite memories of Bob as well as a face mask to attend.