Robert C. Defferding

Bob Defferding, age 93, passed away at the Appleton Medical Center on Sunday evening, March 3, 2012. Bob was born in Appleton on April 24, 1918, son of the late Joseph and Rose (Deltgen) Defferding. He was a graduate of the Birnamwood High School and he began his carpentry career building barns. Later he moved to Appleton and began working for his uncles building homes. Bob then entered the United States Army, serving from 1941 to 1946. There he was instrumental in the building and repair of many World War II airstrips in the Pacific. He married the former Dorothy Hentschel in Birnamwood on July 29, 1943. After the war, Bob returned to Appleton and began work for Theo. Utschig & Son Company, and was heavily involved with most of the new construction at Miller Electric at that time. He stayed with the company until it disbanded. Bob was a longtime member of the Carpenters Union 955 and later worked as an independent consultant and construction manager. Bob and Dorothy enjoyed many years traveling to their cottage near Rhinelander.

Bob is survived by his wife: Dorothy Defferding of Appleton; two children: Dennis Defferding of Greenville and his companion Jill; Debbie (Scott) Douglas of Rindge, New Hampshire; six grandchildren: Wendy (Stan) Latender, Corey Defferding, Alex Douglas, Colette Douglas, Tracy (Tony) Griggs, and Trevor (Clare) Schulz; eight great-grandchildren: Nat, Nane, Weske, Will, Logan, Owen, Gabriel, and Jonah; a brother: Conley (Delores) Defferding of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Bob was preceded in death by his parents, a daughter Karen Schulz, and a grand-daughter-in-law Katie Defferding.

The funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, March 8, 2012 at ZION LUTHERAN CHURCH, 912 N. Oneida Street in Appleton with Rev. Kurt Kovanen officiating. Interment will be in Highland Memorial Park with full military honors. Friends may call at the funeral home on Wednesday evening from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM and again at the church on Thursday from 10:00 AM until the time of the service.

Wichmann Funeral Home
537 N. Superior Street
Appleton, WI 54911
920-739-1231