Robert "Bob" R. Derksen

With heavy hearts and solace, the family of Robert “Bob” Russell Derksen, share that he entered fully into the presence of his Lord and Savior on Friday August 11th, 2023. He was 87.
Robert was born June 14, 1936, to Henry and Violet (Koehler) Derksen in Waupun Wisconsin.  He had many fond memories of the rewarding work and fun he had while growing up on the family dairy farm.  He graduated from Waupun Lincoln High School in 1954 and enlisted in the US Army where he served from 1957 – 1959, most of those years spent in Germany.  After his service, he earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from UW Madison.   Upon graduating in 1964, he began his career working for the City of Milwaukee.   It was in Milwaukee that he met his future wife Carole Tack.  In 1968 he happily accepted a position with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources in Wisconsin Rapids as an environmental engineer where he worked for 32 years until his retirement.
Bob and Carole were married in Milwaukee on January 13th, 1968.  They raised two sons, Dean and Dain.  While raising their sons, Bob volunteered with Little League baseball and youth hockey.  He was a member of the Reformed Church throughout his life, serving on councils and doing volunteer work.  After retirement he also volunteered at Love in the Name of Christ and for 22 years with Meals on Wheels.  He was a current member of Faith Reformed Church in Wisconsin Rapids.  In addition to his volunteer work, Bob enjoyed spending time with his family, traveling and after retiring, playing golf with his previous coworkers.
Bob is survived by his wife Carole, son Dean (grandsons Bret and Reese) of Sheboygan and son Dain (wife Eve) of Green Bay.  He is further survived by three sisters, Gretchen Gelatt of Waupun, Gladys Derksen of Milwaukee and Shirley (Lee) Ross of La Crosse and many nieces and nephews.  He is preceded in death by his parents, twin infant sisters and his brothers Clarence and Richard, his sister Lillian Den Hartigh, sisters-in-law Jeanette Derksen and Judy Derksen, Marilynn (Tack) Rasmussen and Janet (Tack) Menge brothers-in-law, Donald Den Hartigh, Jim Gelatt, Larry Tack, Dennis Rasmussen and Delmar Sletten. 
Family and friends are welcome to join us on Saturday August 26th, 2023, at Herman-Taylor Funeral Home 2201 Chestnut Street, Wisconsin Rapids 54494 with visitation from 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. funeral service at 11:00 a.m., followed by inurnment at Forest Hill Cemetery, 631 Spring Street, Wisconsin Rapids, WI  54494   
Lunch will follow the cemetery services at the Herman-Taylor Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers memorials in Bob’s name may be sent to Love Inc. South Wood County, Faith Reformed Church, or the charity of your choice.

To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Robert "Bob" R. Derksen, please visit our Tree Store.