Robert J. Mendlesky

Robert J. Mendlesky, 74, a Fond du Lac native and current Eagle River resident, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, May 1, 2020 at Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee, WI. Bob had been fighting courageously to overcome Leukemia since last year. He was born in Fond du Lac on November 14, 1945 to Raymond and Ruth (Everson) Mendlesky. Bob was a 1963 graduate of St. Mary’s Springs Academy. On April 16, 1966, he married Margaret Prellwitz at Presentation Church in North Fond du Lac. Bob served in the U.S. Air Force including a tour of duty in Vietnam.



Bob adored his grandchildren, and his family was most important to him. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, woodworking, and was an avid bowler in his younger years. Bob was always working on various projects as he was not one to sit around. While raising his three young children with his wife, he began his career in Research & Development at Mercury Marine. In the 1970’s, Bob helped in the development of the “Sno-Twister” and “Trail-Twister” snowmobiles for Team Mercury and was a mechanic on the race team. Working full time at Mercury Marine and raising his family, Bob earned a bachelor’s degree from Marian University. In 2006, he retired from Ford Motor Company as a research & development engineer. As a retired Ford engineer, Bob assisted in the development of the cutting-edge hydrogen powered engine at Hydrogen Engine Center in Iowa. Bob & Margaret then retired to Eagle River in 2008 and built a home for all their children, grandchildren and friends to gather at once. To remain active, Bob worked part time at the World Snowmobile Headquarters for close to a decade. He was a member of St. Peter the Fisherman Parish in Eagle River.



Bob was a very dedicated volunteer with the Anvil Lake Association (ALA). He was a respected member of the ALA Board of Directors. His engineering expertise and leadership have been an essential part of Eurasian Watermilfoil (EWM) Management on Anvil Lake. He coordinated the construction and maintenance of their Diver Assisted Suction Harvesting (DASH) unit for EWM harvesting. In addition, Bob also devoted many hours each year to organizing the reimbursement paperwork involved with their grants from the DNR.



Bob is survived by his beloved wife, Margaret; three children, Kathleen (Jeff) Gravelle, Ann (Ken) Krueger and Michael (Becki) Mendlesky; eight grandchildren, Kyra Gravelle (fiancé Sean Ahern), Mason Gravelle, Marissa Gravelle, Logan Krueger (fiancé Cathryn Duffy), Nicole Krueger, Callie Mendlesky, Conner Mendlesky and Tori Breitzman; two sisters-in-law, Patricia Prellwitz and Mary (Steven) Klima; and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Richard (Barbara) Mendlesky; and a niece, Laura Foster.



A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, June 27th, 2020 at 11:00 AM at Holy Family Church. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery and a celebration of life gathering will be held following the burial.

Cremation has taken place.



The family wishes to thank the medical team at the James Beck Cancer Center in Rhinelander, WI, as well as Dr. Guru and staff at Froedtert Hospital for their compassionate and excellent care of Bob.



In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to Uecker-Witt Funeral Home, in care of Margaret Mendlesky, 524 North Park Avenue, Fond du Lac, WI 54935, and will be donated to honor Bob’s passions.



“Wherever a beautiful soul has been there is a trail of beautiful memories.”



Additional information and guestbook can be found at ueckerwitt.com