Robert J. Gross

Robert J. Gross passed away peacefully at the Lutheran Home in Wauwatosa on Wednesday, December 8, 2021, at the age of 71 with his family by his side. He was born in Fond du Lac on April 10, 1950, to Robert and Beverly (neé Kuehl) Gross. Robert attended Presentation Catholic School and graduated from Horace Mann High School in 1968. He continued on to UW-Oshkosh where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. Robert began his career with a carpenter’s apprenticeship and then started working at Gross Construction. He was fortunate to work side-by-side with his dad into the early 80’s and shortly thereafter became the owner.



Depending on when you met Robert you may have known him as Bobby, Bob, or RJ. Regardless of when you met him, you were greeted by his big, warm smile, his sparkling blue eyes, and a willingness to help you with whatever you needed. He was always on the go, always had a project or four underway, and was usually learning about a new hobby or interest. In fact, Bob never met a hobby he didn’t like. Some of his hobbies included iceboating, kite flying, photography, turkey hunting, skiing, gardening, and so many more. The hobby he enjoyed the most was high-wheel bicycling where he could be seen decorated in full costume riding in a parade every weekend of the summer.



During his last few years, the highlights of his days were visits and FaceTime’s with his children and grandchildren. While he struggled with memory and mobility in the later years, he always remembered his family and friends who had a special place in his heart.



Robert is survived by his special friend, Christine Watts; his three children, Rachele (Robert) Lehr, Andrea (Jon) Kinsel, and Stewart (Melissa) Gross; and two grandchildren, Addison Kinsel and Grayson Gross. He is further survived by his brother, Tom (Chris) Gross; three sisters, Ann (John) Renckens, Susan (Brian) Voelker, and Margaret (John) Nejedlo; a sister-in-law, Terry Gross; a brother-in-law, Pat Bertram; the mother of his children, Connie Gross; and many nieces and nephews.



He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Beverly Gross; two brothers, Mike Gross and Jeffrey Joseph; and a sister, Amy Bertram.



The family would like to extend a big thank you to the team at the Lutheran Home in Wauwatosa where he was cared for this past year.



In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Robert’s name to the Fond du Lac Historical Society are appreciated: Fond du Lac County Historical Society, PO Box 1284, Fond du Lac, WI 54936-1284 or fdlhistory.com/donate, and entering Robert’s name in the comments.



Visitation will be held from 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM, Thursday, December 16, 2021, at Uecker-Witt Funeral Home. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 AM, Friday, December 17, 2021, at Holy Family Church, 271 Fourth Street Way in Fond du Lac with visitation from 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM. Cremation will follow the services.



Services are in the care of Uecker-Witt Funeral Home, 524 North Park Avenue, Fond du Lac, WI, 54935. Additional information and guestbook can be found at ueckerwitt.com