Klar, Norbert "Bob"

Norbert "Bob" Klar

Norbert "Bob" Klar, age, 94 of Highland, WI passed away peacefully on September 18, 

2023. Bob was born on October 13th, 1928 in Platteville, WI to Cyril and Hazel (Buss) Klar and was the second oldest of ten children raised on the Klar Farm south of Platteville. He was united in marriage to the love of his life, Shirley, on June 13th, 1959 in Racine, WI.

Bob was an extraordinary storyteller and never missed the opportunity to retell his incredible adventures. Bob lived an impressive and full life. Bob served with the Wisconsin Air National Guard and United States Air Force and flew in B29 Bombers while using radar during reconnaissance missions to find enemy ships and planes during the Korean War. After his military service, Bob worked at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida with NASA developing navigational systems on many Apollo shuttles, including the lunar module as well as the lunar rover. If that wasn't exciting enough, he also worked for General Motors developing electronics. He also surveyed power lines throughout the state of Wisconsin. Bob took over his family's farm north of Highland and farmed for many years until his retirement in the early 1990's. 

Bob had numerous hobbies, which included traveling the globe with his wife Shirley, woodworking, fishing, reading and playing cards with his family. His woodworking was more of a side job, as he created numerous crafts, kids toys, puzzles, and he never went anywhere without his smart sticks, so he could challenge whoever he could. He was the first to admit when his wife out-fished him, and he was always armed with a good joke. He was a kind and compassionate soul and was always found helping others. 

Bob was a disciplined father, with the hopes that his trickster ways from his youth might not rub off on his children. Bob had a habit during his early college years of hotwiring his friends' car seats, electrifying lab tables, and relocating the rival team's mascot during homecoming. 

Bob is survived by his children: Barbara (David) Stanek of Highland, Kathy (Al) Woolford of Platteville, Mike (Julie) Klar of Dodgeville, and Peggy (Doug) Bomkamp of Highland. He is further survived by his nine grandchildren and six great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents Cyril and Hazel Klar, his beautiful bride Shirley, his brothers Francis and Richard Klar, his sisters Bonnie Iverson, Marilyn Klosterman and Jeanne Phalen, his granddaughter Shelbey Bomkamp, and many in-laws, cousins, and nephews. 

The world will surely be a quieter place without his stories and laughter, and we know his memory will live on through those tales. He didn't leave anything unsaid or any adventure undone on this wild ride. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, September 22, 2023 at Ss. Anthony & Philip Catholic Church, Highland. Burial in St. Anthony Cemetery to follow. Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM on Thursday, September 21, 2023 at Ss. Anthony & Philip Catholic Church. Additional visitation will be at the church from 10:00 AM until the time of Mass on Friday. The McGuire-Peterson-Houck Funeral Home is serving the family. Online condolences may be made at www.houckfuneralhomes.com. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials to one of Bob's favorite organizations, Vets Roll Organization of Wisconsin (vetsroll.org/donate) or the Highland VFW, are greatly appreciated.  

McGuire-Peterson-Houck 

Funeral Home 

Highland   

608-929-4815 

www.houckfuneralhomes.com