Robert "Bob" L. Fitze, a longtime resident of Ontonagon passed away on Sunday, June 22, 2008 after a lengthy stay at St. Joseph Hospital in Marshfield, WI.

He was born in Antigo, WI on September 2, 1924, the second son of the late Harry and Laura Belle (Hibbard) Fitze. He graduated from Tomahawk High School in 1942. Bob was a U.S. Army Air Corps Veteran, serving in the Asia Pacific region during WWII. He attended Carlton College in Minnesota while in the Army and later graduated from the University of Wisconsin, Madison in 1948.

He married Nathalie M. Thompson on June 19, 1948 in Tomahawk, WI. They resided in Rhinelander, WI where Bob worked as a Civil Engineer for the State of Wisconsin Department of Transportation and later the Paper Mill. In 1957 they moved to Tomahawk, WI where he was employed at the Paper Mill until 1964 when they moved to Ontonagon and he worked as a Professional Engineer at the Paper Mill until 1986 when he retired. He loved playing golf, woodworking, gardening, traveling, cooking, and spending time with his family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother John "Jack" Fitze, his wife Nathalie of 55 years, a son-in-law Jon McKinstry, and a grandson Ryan Ellet.

He is survived by three children John (Dana) Fitze of Ishpeming, Mary McKinstry of Calumet, and Sandy (Dirk) Howe of Edmonds, WA.; 10 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Funeral Services will be held at 11 AM Saturday June 28, 2008 at the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Ontonagon with Pastor Neider officiating. Friends may call on Friday June 27, 2008 from 4 to 8 PM at the Cane Funeral home and one hour prior to the service. Burial will be at the Evergreen Cemetery in Ontonagon. Memorial gifts may be made to the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Ontonagon, or the Ontonagon County Cancer Association.

The Cane Funeral home is assisting the family with arrangements.