Paul Roberts Wurtz, Ph.D., passed away peacefully on November 27th, 2020 at The Neighbors of Dunn County in Menomonie, Wisconsin.

Born October 13th, 1935 in Lillis, Kansas to Paul and Vivian (Scheffer) Wurtz, Bob was raised in Newbury, Kansas, the fourth of 15 children. Bob attended Paxico High School, graduated from Rockhurst College in Kansas City and earned his doctorate from the University of Wyoming-Laramie. Bob enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1957 and was honored to serve his country.

In 1959 Bob married Mary Joanne Reddy, in Saint Marys, Kansas. As their family grew, they lived briefly in Kansas, California and Wyoming. Bob and Joanne settled in Menomonie in 1965, where Bob began a 35-year career as a professor in the Guidance and Counseling Department at the University of Wisconsin-Stout. 

Bob and Joanne raised their ten children in Menomonie, where they were active members of St. Joseph’s Parish. They enjoyed get-togethers with friends, attending their children’s sporting and school events, as well as hiking, camping and gardening on their land outside of Irvington, Wisconsin. They vacationed often with family in Kansas.  An avid Twins Fan, Bob loved baseball. He played in the Menomonie Men’s Softball League and served as an assistant baseball coach at UW-Stout. 

When he retired in 2000, Bob’s love of nature, jazz, reading, cooking (especially chili) and playing piano kept him busy. He also traveled, attended plays, concerts, ball games, gardened on his land, and participated in weekly bridge tournaments.

Bob is survived by ten children—Christopher (Louise) Wurtz, Colette (Richard) Bresnahan, Anne (Joe Otte) Parks, Bob (Paige) Wurtz, Jill-Marie Reinsch, Maria (Murray Yagilashek) Wurtz, Paul Wurtz, Beth (Bob) Bianchi-Rossi, Jessica Ramsay, and Timothy Wurtz—22 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren, four brothers, and eight sisters. 

Bob was preceded in death by his loving wife, Joanne, his parents, sister Virginia McCarthy and infant brother Terrance.

A Mass will be said in his memory at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Menomonie. Service and Interment will take place in Newbury, Kansas in the fall of 2021, date to be determined.

Condolences

1. Lucero Rodriguez December 21, 2020, at 7:15pm

   My sincerest condolences, Chris. May your father rest in peace. I'll be saying a prayer for you and your family.

2. Erik Eiswirth December 16, 2020, at 10:55am

   Condolences to you and your family Chris. From reading the obituary, it looks like your father was a tremendous human being. God Bless.

3. Annette Taylor December 15, 2020, at 12:19pm

   Bob had to be a wonderful person to have raised such a great family! It was our privilege to live across the street from the Wurtzes. Our condolences to the family. Annette & John

4. Colter Bayard December 13, 2020, at 4:18pm

   As a high school student, I was fortunate enough to have been able to take two courses with Dr. Wurtz at Stout in the 90s. Later after I graduated I was able to take a summer school course with him as well.

   As an instructor, he was thoughtful and somewhat philosophical. I remember for example in his introduction to guidance course in the Fall of 1994, he began the class by having students answer what they thought “the meaning of life” was.

   He was a soft spoken professor, a generous grader, and a kind man.

5. Joyce Uhlir December 12, 2020, at 1:08pm

   I remember Bob from church. He would sit in the back of the section where we usually sat. He would ask about musical things our girls were doing. He seemed like a truly gentle, humble soul. I will be praying that he goes to an awesome reward that makes all the joy he had in this life seem small in comparison! :)

6. John & Chris Enger December 8, 2020, at 2:27pm

   Bob and Joanne were our neighbors for many years and it was a pleasure to know them and their family. We always enjoyed Bob's good advice and the generous share of his farm produce. We will miss them both and remember them fondly.

7. Gary Rockwood December 8, 2020, at 11:18am

   Bob and I worked together with the Mental Health Counseling Program at UW-Stout. It was a pleasure to work with and be friends with Bob, and I considered him a mentor as I was learning the job. Bob is one of the kindest, most compassionate, most thoughtful people I have ever known. I will miss him. My condolences to his family.

8. Chris Lowrey December 7, 2020, at 11:53am

   We are so sorry for your loss. Bob was always so nice and we will miss his smile. Our prayers for him and the family.

9. David Cook December 7, 2020, at 11:34am

   Bob was a colleague in the UWStout graduate program in Counseling and a good friend in our retirement. I was able to visit Bob a couple of times in nursing home before the pandemic. Bed ridden, he was his usual congenial self. We had some great visits with other colleagues during our retirement. I've lost a good friend.

10. Kent schlie (Betty Wurtz) son December 6, 2020, at 6:30pm

    RIP Bob U were the best uncle. Father, husband. Sibling and Service Man patriot

11. Ann and Dan Borgenheimer December 5, 2020, at 8:01am

    Dear Paul and family. We want you to know our thoughts are with you all. It’s always hard to lose a parent or grandparent. ❤️

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