Robert W. Luebke

Bob Luebke, age 97, died peacefully at his home surrounded by his loving family on Good Friday, April 2, 2010. Bob was born March 27, 1913 on a farm near Maribel in Manitowoc County, son of the late William and Leona (Nohr) Luebke. He married Marjorie Polzin on November 12, 1935. Together, they raised three children: William R. (Francoise) Luebke of Antibes, France; Lois (DeWayne) Petersen of Edina, Minnesota; and Martha (John) Forrest of Plymouth, Massachusetts. Marjorie died on August 15, 1981. Bob married Caroline Fitz on June 8, 1983.

Bob's life-long career in photography began in October of 1937 when he became the first full time news photographer for the Appleton Post Crescent. He retired on March 27, 1978 as the photo lab supervisor at Fort Howard Paper Company in Green Bay. He had also worked in the photo lab of USA Forest Products Laboratory in Madison and was also part of a Green Bay photography partnership with Henry LeFebvre for some sixteen years.

Bob enjoyed pen-pal exchanges with people all around the world and kept a daily retirement journal for eleven thousand days. He made seven short-term mission trips for the Methodist Church and went on two study seminars to Cuba. He was a member of Rotary International for more than fifty years, and received his Paul Harris Fellowship on March 6, 2001. Bob is survived by his wife Caroline, three children, four grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.

Services were held in Appleton on April 3, 2010.

The family would like to thank everyone at Touchmark on Prospect for their loving care during Bob's stay there, as well as to everyone at Theda Care At Home. You cared for our dad like he was your very own, and we will always be grateful for your kindness.

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