Robert E. Polzin

Robert “Bob” Elmer Polzin Born to external life on September 8, 2026, at the age of 89 years. Beloved husband of the late Carol Ann Polzin (nee Sandberg) for 50 years. Loving father of Christine (Richard) Fleissner. He is survived by his sister Janice (Donald) Waldvogel and brother Paul (Beverly) Polzin, and cousin James “Jimmy” (Jan) Gray. He is further survived by many nieces and nephews, and great nieces and nephews and friends. Bob was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on December 1, 1936 to the late Elmer Robert Polzin and the late Lillian Jenny Polzin (nee Erickson). He grew up near 42nd and Auer Avenue, remembering many family picnics in nearby Sherman Park. He attended Zoar Elementary School in Milwaukee. Later the family moved to a home near 36th and Silver Spring Drive. Some of Bob’s fondest childhood memories were from working a couple of weeks during summers on his grandparent’s family farm in Suring, Wisconsin, where he helped with the chores including picking potato bugs off plants and as well as hauling a cart of milk cans up a hill to a small local cheese factory. There was horseback riding including with Bob’s cousin Jimmy, who taught him to jump from one horse to another. There were tense moments on the farm when a rooster chased Bob, requiring him to defend himself with a broom. After his daughter and son-in-law started keeping chickens in 2025, every time he would see his daughter, he would excitedly ask “How are the chickens?”, still reminding him of childhood memories. Another fond memory from childhood was attending minor league baseball games at Borchert Field, where Interstate 43 now passes between Chambers and Burleigh in Milwaukee. He graduated from Milwaukee Lutheran High School in 1954. Bob excelled on the high school basketball team. Saturday high school basketball games were a highlight. After high school Bob met the love of his life, Carol Sandberg. Bob and Carol were married in 1959. Bob joined the United States Air Force Reserves. Bob and Carol wrote many letters to each other during this time. Bob was called to active duty in 1961 during the Cuban Missile Crisis and the Bay of Pigs Invasion. After Bob’s honorable discharge from the Air Force Reserves, he returned to family life. While in the role as a father, Bob took his daughter Christine to many major league baseball games at Milwaukee County Stadium where they would sit in bleacher seats with Christine’s baseball glove, ready to catch balls hit over the fence. Over the years, he participated in sports, including a bowling league and a softball league. After the passing of his wife, whom he had been caring for several years, Bob took up other interests, including (among others) gardening, morel mushroom hunting with the “kids”, and attending professional and amateur sporting events with friends and family members. He traveled with his siblings on trips to northern Wisconsin and Florida. Bob was very active with family and friends. Bob had always been passionate about sports and old movies. He was a walking encyclopedia of movies from the 1930s, ‘40s, ‘50s and ‘60s. He could instantly tell you who acted in each film. Lawrence Welk reruns were a favorite too. Lawrence Welk shows brought back to Bob memories of life at home as a child. Bob also loved animals, especially his cats. After Bob developed health issues, he moved to St. Anne’s Salvatorian Campus on North 92nd Street in Milwaukee. Initially Bob continued his gardening interest at St. Anne’s. He also volunteered to help with other tasks while still engaging with other residents. Bob made many new friends with residents and staff. Many thanks to the staff at St. Anne’s for their compassionate care of Bob. Visitation will be held Friday, September 18, 2026 from 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM at ST. ANNE'S SENIOR LIVING CHAPEL (3800 N. 92nd St, Milwaukee, WI 53222) with Funeral Service at 11:00 AM, Pastor Steven Voigt, officiating. Interment with Military Honors will follow at Pinelawn Memorial Park.