Robert Cole Wertsch

Robert Bert C. Wertsch, age 66, of Oshkosh passed away Saturday, September 3rd at Mercy Medical Center. Bert was born on September 2nd, 1945 while General MacArthur was accepting the surrender of the Japanese aboard the USS Missouri. During the war, Berts father, an architectural engineer, worked in Superior, Wisconsin designing ships. Since Bert was born in Superior, he liked to jokingly tell people that he was a superior baby. Bert came to Oshkosh as an infant and grew up here attending local schools. As a teenager, Bert was very active in DeMolay. He remembered the DeMolay teachings and lived them all of his life. He completed his undergraduate education at UW-Oshkosh and then went on to graduate from UW-Madisons Law School in 1970. After Law School, Bert joined the Navy. He worked in the Law Center at Great Lakes, IL. When asked about his time in the Navy, Bert would tell people that he sailed Building 1 at Great Lakes. On February 20, 1971 Bert married Sharon Eichinger. He and Sharon celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary this year. Also in 1971, Bert began practicing law with Attorney L. Erik Hansen in Silver Lake, Wisconsin. Although he thoroughly enjoyed working with Atty. Hansen, Bert and his young family returned to Oshkosh in 1976 to be nearer to other family members and to start a law office of his own. During his long career, Bert has served as attorney for the Town of Algoma, the Town of El Dorado, the Town of Omro, the Town of Wolf River, and other municipalities. He has also been privileged to assist many private clients over the years. Bert and Sharon are also the owners of Ideal Products, an Oshkosh machine shop. Bert cared deeply about all the employees and valued them as friends. Bert took pride in being from Oshkosh as his family had lived here for many generations. Bert was a lifelong member of Trinity Episcopal Church. Over the years, he has also participated in the Lions Club, Midnight Club, and Walleyes for Tomorrow. Bert was a very patriotic person who loved history trivia. He loved boating, fishing, wildlife photography, and the peace of the northwoods in Wisconsin. He loved a good joke, Robert Frost poetry, the Green Bay Packers, the University of Wisconsin and the Badger Band. But most of all he loved people. All people. To Bert, a stranger was simply a fishing buddy that he hadnt met yet. He could talk to anyone and would selflessly drop everything immediately if someone needed his help. Bert was a devoted husband and father who always attended his childrens school events despite his busy schedule. He was affectionate and open, always quick to offer a hug or an I love you. He was always willing to take time out to talk or listen. His words were always kind, supportive, and encouraging, never demanding, never demeaning or mean-spirited. He always sought to bring people together. There is nothing he wanted more than time with his precious family. Bert will be dearly missed by us all.Bert is survived by his wife Sharon, one son Scott (Amy) Wertsch and two daughters Michele (Jack) Thresher and Kathryn (fianc Steve Hollinger) Wertsch. Bert is also survived by grandchildren Alyse and Colin Thresher. Cousins Dr. Jacqueline Wertsch, Milwaukee, Dr. Paul (Dr. Kay Haggestad) Wertsch, Madison, Vicki Robinson, Albuquerque, NM, and Nancy Wertsch, New York City, also survive him. He is further survived by one brother-in-law, David Eichinger, Tustin, CA. He was preceded in death by his parents Robert Streich Wertsch and Nonah Cole Wertsch and a sister-in-law Diane Eichinger. Services for Bert will be at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 8th at Trinity Episcopal Church (311 Division Street - Oshkosh) with Rev. Thomas Haverly officiating. Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Konrad-Behlman Westside (100 Lake Pointe Drive) on Wednesday, September 7, 2011 and on Thursday at Trinity Episcopal Church from 12:00 Noon until the service time. Interment will be at Riverside Cemetery. A memorial has been established. The family wishes to thank all of the Town of Algoma First Responders, EMTs, Mercy Staff and all others who were helpful

Konrad-Behlman Funeral Home - Westside



100 Lake Pointe Drive
Oshkosh
WI
54904

Wednesday, September 07, 2011
4-8 p.m.



Trinity Episcopal Church



311 Division Street
Oshkosh
WI
54901

Thursday, September 08, 2011
noon until time of service



Trinity Episcopal Church



311 Division Street
Oshkosh
WI
54901

Thursday, September 08, 2011
1 p.m.



Riverside Cemetery



1901 Algoma Blvd
Oshkosh
WI
54901