Robert R. Lieske, age 76, of Kasson, MN passed peacefully with his wife and children at his side at Prairie Meadows Senior Living on Saturday, February 25, 2023. Born in Sheboygan, WI on July 6, 1946 to the late Walter and Elsie (Schnaitmann) Lieske, he graduated from Sheboygan South High School in 1964. Bob attended and graduated from University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (B.S.1969) and University of Wisconsin-Madison (M.S. 1981). His career path included teacher and coach in eastern WI schools, and over 25 years at University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, retiring as Media Specialist Emeritus. Bob’s love of travel within the US, Canada, Mexico, and Europe created volumes of photos, journals and lasting friendships. An interesting part of his life was to be a volunteer worker in the Jordan Valley in Israel from fall season 1971 through summer 1972. The Deganya Kibbutz surrounded Bob with significant friendships of 52 years. Passionate about music, he was a writer and performer. His focus for songs would spring from nature, sailing and people.
Bob is survived by his wife Victoria (Dahl) Lieske; son, Rob Dahl and granddaughter, Lydia Dahl; daughter, Alyson (Dahl) Henrichs and husband Tyler, and their children, Eden and Vincent.
He is also survived by his sister and brother-in-law, Marilyn (John) Dehnert; nieces, Krista Trempe (Bob King) and Jessica (John) Bloodworth; great nieces, Dillon and Evanne; and nephew, Michael Trempe; and great nephew, Bret Nikisch.
Bob is preceded in death by his son, Russell Dahl; and by his sister and brother-in-law, Josephine (nee Lieske) and Norman Trempe.
Celebrations for Bob will be held on Friday, March 24, 2023 from 3:00pm to 6:00 pm at Clancy’s Irish Parrot Bar, 414 S. Barstow St., Eau Claire, WI 54701 and Sunday, March 26, 2023 from 12:00pm to 4:00pm at Hidden Pines Bar & Grill at Zumbro Valley Golf Course, 25202 615th St., Mantorville, MN 55955. Future memorials will be established by his family to support his passion for nature.
Rochester Cremation Services is assisting the family with arrangements. Memories and condolences of Bob may be shared at rochestercremationservicesmn.com
We were so sorry to hear about Bob’s passing from Carla. You two were the first to help with the first docking of Sea Wing! I still laugh when Darlene threw Bob a line that was not attached to the boat! Can I share this with the yacht club members? Come see us in Bayfield. We still have the boat and the condo. We love you and will miss Bob dearly. Bill & Darlene Staffeldt
Bob was a gentle-man with a thoughtful spirit – a man w a heightened awareness of other’s feelings and one who knew the importance of those deepest thoughts. I remember being attracted to this Spirit and thinking back in 2006 or 2007 that I’d like to be friends with Bob. The friendship did develop with Bob and Vicki and openness to our deeper feeling was available. Bob was stricken w a disease calling for a marathon of frustration w debilitation and he bore it w a pretty strong mantle. Vicki was his Godsend and has had the inner strength of knighted nun. I am thankful the suffering is over, that Bob has passed on into God’s grace-filled hands and may we all support Vicki as she re-enters the life of the living.
Vicki- so sorry to hear about Bob. He was always so willing to help out and smiling the whole time when he was media specialist. I have great memories of him. He was so patient. He has a special spot in my heart. I was glad the two of you found each other. Take care, Michaelene Jansen
I was a sophomore at Sheboygan North (1970) where Bob took over as our English teacher before the start of the next calendar year after the original teacher left to care for his wife’s medical problems. Bob was a young teacher but he was “cool” and easy going. He must have loved the music of the day because he incorporated that in his teaching in the classroom. I will always remember that because it was popular with the class. He was one of the most memorable teachers I had. My sympathy goes out to you with his passing from this earthly life. Jack M.
Wow…Bob was such a great, friendly guy and a true friend. I first met him in the late 80’s in Eau Claire. We did so much cool stuff together (sailing, camping, music, laughing…trying to solve the world’s problems in bars). In 1989 he introduced me to the guys in the Sneaker Band who I had the pleasure of playing with for four years.
After I moved to Minneapolis we still did a lot of stuff together. In July ’93 we drove to Hibbing for our “Bob Dylan Pilgrimage/ Northwoods camping trip” (he had seen Dylan “before he went electric” in 1964). I would visit Eau Claire for his annual June Moon Catalpa Party (this had unofficially morphed into BobStock! and yes we did start the VW microbus). He would come to Menomonie when I played there with Cornbread Harris. It was always great to see him sharing laughs and beers.
In the late 90’s we started our ” Annual North Barstow Pub Crawl”. We wanted to visit all the little neighborhood bars in that area as the gentrification writing was already on the wall. I would visit for a night at Christmas time and we would patronize a handful….great memories there.
,He was a life loving, gentle spirit, who touched many people in this life. He was really there for me in my time of need. He will be greatly missed.
I have many fond memories of Bob. He was a kind and steady colleague at The School of Nursing at Eau Claire and had a special relationship with our students. A special memory is when he took my daughter and I sailing in the Apostles Islands
Rest in Peace, Bob..
I fondly remember Bob as a media specialist in the School of Nursing, @ UWEC. As a nursing student there in the 90’s, Bob was a bright light, always cheerful & helpful! We all knew we had a friend in Bob, and felt safe in his presence. May he rest in peace, his work here is done. Godspeed!
Bob was one of the first friends I made in Eau Claire in fall 1987. We use to go out once a week and Bob would always find a new place to take me to, especially “dives” that only he knew and were so local color. He also introduced me to the music community in Eau Claire and took me to many gigs. In the 90’s, when I lived in southern France, he came to visit and we had a blast. Later on, the old bachelor who he was met and married Vicki, who became a sister to me. I visited them regularly in Bayfield during the summer. My friendship to Bob deepened over the years. Bob was a wonderfully caring man who invested time and tender loving care in people. I am very fortunate to have known him for 36 years. He will forever be in my heart! Rest in peace, buddy! Condolences to Vicki and her children and grandchildren who became his family.
I looked forward to seeing Bob in the nursing building LRC. His smile and humor were much appreciated breaks in long days of study. We bonded over our islands, his being Madeline and mine being Washington. Still have to get myself up to Madeline and when I do, I will think of Bob. Sending thoughts of care and healing to the family and thanks to Bob.
We met Bob & Vicki at a campground in Wabasha. Sitting around the fire pit, we shared stories and instantly fell in love with them! Our time together was all too brief. Bob will be remembered with love.
Vicki, so very sad to hear of Bob’s passing. We will always remember what a sweet guy Bob was. We will cherish the times we spent with Bob. The time spent camping with Bob’s guitar playing and singing was so special and will always be remembered. Also, our road trip to California and back through Canada. He was a wonderful roommate and best man at our wedding.
Vicki, thinking of you and your family. Bob was part of a spring break trip we took to the Frontier Nursing Service in Kentucky with CeCelia Zorn and I and a group of nursing students. He met and interacted so easily with people! He sang with the guitar group in one of their homes. We got a little “sip” of moonshine from one of the elders who gave us a tour. It was masked in an orange, green and yellow striped glass carafe kept in the frig and the elder sorta pretended it was water….. The taste of it on just the tip of my tongue burned all the way to the stomach! Sending light and love, Sue
As Bob’s sister I have many fond memories of growing up in Sheboygan with Lake Michigan practically in our backyard. What fun summers we had! Though I later made California my home, we remained close and were able to enjoy camping and sailing adventures over the years. Bob was always so eager to share his friends, his time and his music with everyone. I feel so lucky to have had him as my brother.
My love and appreciation to Vicki and her family who enlarged and enriched his life, and provided comfort and meaning during his last years.