Robert Walraven

Robert "Bob" Walraven 93, of Wausau passed away on Tuesday, November 24, 2015 at Rennes Health and Rehab Center, Weston.

Bob was born June 9, 1922 in Kenosha to the late Peter and Irene (Olin) Walraven. He was a veteran of WWII serving as a Sargent in the Signal Corp with the Army Air Force.

On January 5, 1946 Bob married Charlotte June Barbera in Green Bay. He attended college at the UW Madison graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering.
Bob and June and their four children later moved to the Wausau, Wisconsin area when he started with Wisconsin Public Service in 1959. Robert rapidly moved into WPS management and by 1968 had assumed the role of Division Manager for WPS. He retired in 1987 after 31 years of service. Working for WPS opened many opportunities for Bob and he found a way to connect his career with his passion for community service and leadership.

In 1974, Bob listened to the vision of the late Bill Rypstat who walked his dog along the banks of a dirty, unused river and dream of turning the Wisconsin River's channel into a whitewater course. Bob brought together the resources of WPS and helped a group of individuals realize the potential for a race course on the east channel of the Wisconsin River in downtown Wausau. During the first thirteen years, the river channel itself was the primary focus of the work in bringing races to Wausau. The Wausau Whitewater Park has been developed, modified, and improved resulting in what is now a favorite whitewater park featuring freestyle features and what has been dubbed as "one of the nation's best slalom courses."

Bob was instrumental in the early days of MCDEVCO, The Marathon County Development Corporation (MCDEVCO) has partnered with Marathon County Government and the Wausau Region Chamber of Commerce to provide site selectors, business leaders, employees and residents with key initiatives and resources.
From working with MCDEVCO, Bob realized the needs of small businesses and entrepreneurs to have a place with pooled resources to launch their ideas. One newspaper headline called him "The Father of the Incubator." What is now the Entrepreneurial & Education Center started as the Wausau Business Incubator.

Bob's passion infused into many things. Kiwanis Club of Wausau, Wausau Region Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Wausau, and many other groups and initiatives were the focus of Bob's energy and enthusiasm. Bob and June were members of Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church, Rothschild. In his earlier years, he was on the building committee, church council and helped plan and install the electrical work in the parish hall.

Survivors include his children, Bill (Julie) of Wausau, Don (Sandy) of Seattle, WA, David of Chandler, AZ and Nancy of Mesa, AZ, five grandchildren Tim, Dan, Faith (Rob) O'Connell, Leanne (Shawn) Arroyo and Jacob, four great grandchildren, Elaina, Michael, Lauren and Luc and brother-in-law, Bob (Sue) Barbera of Green Bay. Bob was preceded in death by his wife, June, and brother, Jerry (Betty) Walraven.

Funeral services will be Noon, Thursday, December 3, 2015 at Helke Funeral Home, 302 Spruce St., Wausau. Rev. Richard Block of Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church will officiate. Entombment will be in Restlawn Memorial Park. Friends may call at the funeral home on Thursday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services.
You may sign our family guest book at helke.com.