Robert August Wilkins

Robert "Rob" "Bob" A. Wilkins, 77, of Medford, died Sunday, July 30, 2023 at VitaCare Assisted Living in Medford and while under the care of St. Croix Hospice. 

Robert was born January 14, 1946 in Hammond, Indiana to Robert E. and Dorothy (Bunkleman) Wilkins. Growing up he loved the outdoors and enjoyed his trips to visit his mother's family's farm in Milan, Wisconsin. He graduated from Hammond High School, class of 1964.   

Following high school, he worked for Inland Steel. Robert had many adventures including trips to Glacier National Park and driving the Alaska Highway in a station wagon he parked on hills so he could get it jump started in the mornings. He spent several summers living off the land at his sister and brother-in-law’s cabin near Sioux Narrows, Ontario. Eventually he settled in Goodrich, Wisconsin, buying 40 acres and building his own house in 1975.  He began working at the canning factory in Merrill, where he met his future wife, Virginia Case.  They were married in 1976 and together raised three boys.  They later divorced.

Robert worked for Phillips Plastics where he had many friends, retiring from there after 25 years.  He then worked as a rural mail carrier, and also served as Town Supervisor for the Town of Goodrich for many years. 

He enjoyed his many fishing trips to Canada; deer hunting; following the stock market; listening to music, his favorites were Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, Neil Young, and the Beatles; cheering on the Badgers and Packers; and spending time with his grandchildren, niece and nephews. He loved his Goodrich homestead where he lived with his dogs and cats, cut his own firewood, fed and watched the birds, and drove his John Deere Model M. He also enjoyed playing pinochle with his family members, and reading poetry, especially Robert Frost. 

He will be dearly missed by his three sons, Aaron (Heide Emmerich) of Medford, Jesse of Fairbanks, Alaska, Adam of Medford; brother-in-law, John Neiswinger of Athens; two beloved grandchildren, Paige and Evan; his niece, Tammy Murray of Speedway, Indiana; nephews, Mark Neiswinger of Madison, Indiana, and Michael (Cindy) Neiswinger of Jackson, Mississippi; and his great-nieces and nephews Ariana, Eric, Jonathan, Jacklyn, and Benjamin; all his friends from Phillips Plastics, Goodrich, and VitaCare, including Rosie and Helen. 

He was preceded in death by his parents; four sisters, Sally Wilkins, Janet Neiswinger, Barbara Tsareff, Mary Rose Williams; brothers in law Jim Williams and Tom Tsareff, a niece, Jamie Williams; and nephew, Chris Tsareff. 

The family would like to express their sincere gratitude and thanks to the staff of Care Partners/VitaCare Living where Robert spent his final years, and also Lori and the staff of St. Croix Hospice. 

Private family services will be held.

In honor of Robert’s love for animals, memorials are greatly appreciated and may go to the Taylor County Humane Association.

Hemer-Pickerign Funeral & Cremation Services of Medford and Rib Lake is serving the family. Please visit www.hemerfuneralservice.com to share condolences online.

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