Out of caution and concern for everyone’s health, a private funeral service and burial with military honors will be held on Thursday, March 19, 2020 at Wisconsin Memorial Park. It is hoped that family and friends will join us in a celebration of Bob’s life sometime during the summer.
Age 80, passed away surrounded by family on March 12, 2020 due to complications from Parkinson’s Disease and Vascular Dementia. He was born on January 12, 1940 in Neenah, Wisconsin to Herbert and Irene (nee Wippich) Auxier. Raised in Menasha, Wisconsin, Bob graduated from Menasha High School, class of 1958. Bob worked at Kimberly Clark until he enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1959 when he was assigned to the USS Galvaston. Upon discharge, Bob returned to work at Kimberly Clark until 1963 when he decided that a military career in the U.S. Air Force would provide job stability. In addition to stateside assignments, Bob was also stationed at military bases in the Republic of the Philippines, the Republic of Vietnam and Iran. He worked as a Missile Electronic Maintenance Superintendent and a Systems Analyst Branch Chief. Bob received four Air Medals for twenty-two combat missions and seventy combat support missions in Vietnam. Additionally, Bob received the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, the Air Force Longevity Ribbon and the Good Conduct Medal. He was honorably discharged from the Air Force in 1981, having attained the rank of E8. While stationed in Iran, Bob and his first wife adopted two children, Stacy and Darren. Bob began a second career in 1981 with MG Industries, Inc. as a mid-level manager and then retiring in 2000. Bob had a second chance for love when he married Cindy Cech. He was a loving, caring husband. He never said ‘no’ whenever Cindy suggested that it was time to add another fur baby to their family. At one time, the family included five cats and five guinea pigs. He loved his pets.
Bob will be remembered by family and friends as a kind, gentle soul and a very quiet man. He never ranted and yelled while watching Packer games on TV. For the most part, Bob was a “homebody” although he enjoyed our cross-country road trips. He enjoyed sports including attending Milwaukee Brewer games. In fact, Bob was a baseball pitcher during his military years and even coached a girls’ softball team. He liked to play golf and riding the bike trails on his TerraTrike. Bob took fashion cues from no one. His signature everyday look usually consisted of Khaki slacks, a golf shirt, a Packer or Wisconsin shirt, white Velcro athletic shoes and one of his Air Force caps. Bob was a “meat and potatoes” kind of guy. He had an obsession for peanuts and sweets, particularly Snickers candy bars and vanilla ice cream (even with 50 flavors to choose from).
Bob was a proud member of several service and fraternal organizations including the Air Force Association, the Knights of Columbus, the VFW, the American Legion and Holy Angels Congregation.
Bob had a long-standing relationship with God and was very blessed with his faith until the end of his life. He liked Rosary services and Bible study while residing at Crossroads Care Center. The Lord has now released him from the Parkinson’s Disease he despised so much. Although our hearts are heavy, we will celebrate his life and find comfort that he is in heaven watching over us. This wonderful man left a permanent mark etched on our hearts and will be supremely missed by his wife and best friend of 24 years, Cindy Cech, his stepdaughter, Carrie (Matt) Schaetzel and daughter, Stacey Auxier. He was a proud and loving grandfather to Shaniya Auxier, 20, and Nic Schaetzel, 17.
Loving brother of Al (Bonnie) Auxier and Larry (Becky) Auxier. Fondly remembered by nephews Brian (Nicole) Auxier, Brad (Amy) Auxier and Luke Auxier and niece Brooke (fiancé Andrew Nuss) Auxier. Dear brother-in-law of Allison (Bob) Nolan and their children, Heather (Logan Schutts) Nolan and Brett (Julia) Nolan. Further survived by beloved special extended family, the Inkmann clan. Bob will be sadly missed by many other family and friends. Preceded in death by his parents and sister, Carol (Auxier) Brown.
The family would like to thank the staff at Crossroads Care Center for their loving care during the last fifteen months of Bob’s life.
Out of caution and concern for everyone’s health, a private funeral service and burial with military honors will be held on Thursday, March 19, 2020 at Wisconsin Memorial Park. It is hoped that family and friends will join us in a celebration of Bob’s life sometime during the summer.
Memorial donations in Bob’s memory may be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation.