Robert “Bob” Kode was born March 16, 1943 to Norbert J. and Vanita M. Kode in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, while his father was still away fighting in World War II. Bob was the oldest of the three Kode boys, with James and Raymond coming along soon after. He graduated from Pius XI High School, later attended Milwaukee Area Technical College, and served proudly in the U.S. Army Reserves. After initially working in retail management, Bob ultimately retired from the Milwaukee County Transit System.
In June 1967, Bob married Barbara Ravenscraft, and although their union later ended in divorce, they had four children together: Kimberly (husband Scott), Robert “Junior” (wife Renee), Brenda, and Stacy “CJ.”
In June 1998, Bob married his best friend, Nancy Alice Schwartz, who brought into his family another son, Scott (wife Melissa). Over the years, Bob and Nancy were blessed with fifteen grandchildren: Emily, Evan, Hailey, Jackson, Landon, Kayla, Heather, Jessica, Zach, Tanner, Hunter, Tony, Elleigh, Taylor, and Kristen, and two great-grandchildren, Ava and Aidan. Bob was immensely proud of each and every one.
Bob was a gruff guy with a “soft touch.” He worked hard but was a sucker for a hard luck story. He loved classic tv shows, vintage cars, John Wayne movies, Wisconsin Badgers football, and his motorcycle. In his younger days, he traveled all over the United States, visiting family and friends along the way. Nancy enjoyed going for motorcycle rides with him when she could. As he got older, Bob liked the idea of waking up on a chilly Superbowl Sunday to warm sunshine, a nice beach, and lots of pretty girls. We would have loved that for him.
Most of all, Bob loved his family, who always knew he was there if they needed him (even if he didn’t do such a great job of calling them back). He was a “tremendous” dad, and an even better grandpa. Whether he was attending one of their many extracurricular activities or just sitting on a living room couch watching all the chaos, Bob was happiest at the center of the storm, surrounded by his kids and grandkids. Every surface of his home was covered in their photographs, notes, and drawings.
Bob is survived by his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren as well as several lifelong and special friends, including MaryAnn (the late Chuck) Rapozo, Jim and Donna Szalacinski, and Doug and Mary Tebo. We will carry his heart with us always.
Bob’s parents, his granddaughter Rachel, and his beloved wife, Nancy, precede him in death. Bob’s passing is only made easier by knowing that he is together again with Nancy, whom he has missed and longed for every single day.