Robert "Bob" S. Kulczak

Robert “Bob” Kulczak, age 72, of Hawkins, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully at his home on January 7, 2026.

Bob was born on September 2, 1953, in Chicago, Illinois, to Erwin and Mary (Swentonowski) Kulczak, both of whom preceded him in death. After growing up in the Chicago area, his family later moved to Hawkins, Wisconsin. Bob graduated from Ladysmith High School in 1972 and made Hawkins his lifelong home.

Bob was employed by Jeld-Wen for many years. Outside of work, he was an avid outdoorsman. Fishing was his favorite pastime, especially spending time on his boat on the Flambeau River. He deeply enjoyed being outdoors and found peace in nature.

A quiet and rather private person, Bob valued his independence and determination and loved the outdoors. Despite ongoing health challenges, he continued to push forward and live life on his own terms, always finding joy in the things he loved most—hunting, fishing, and time spent outdoors. He enjoyed his vacations from work by going on fishing trips to Canada with his close friends, keeping in touch with them through the years. He will be missed by his family and his fishing buddies, but there are many wonderful memories shared with him as a family.

Bob never married and had no children. He is survived by his cousins; Martha Schroeder of Ladysmith, Philip Selonke of Hawkins, Ellen (Jim) Hoyt of Hawkins, Christina Clancy of Turtle Lake, Courtney (Billie) Beres of Baldwin, Laura Koppa of Wausau, Debbie Heath of Woodville, Robert (Betsy) Galetka of Robbinsdale, MN Raymond (Sharon) Galetka of Ladysmith, Theresa (Edward) Franzen of Sheldon, Gerald (Kelly) Galetka of Shakopee, MN, Laurie Tomlinson of Eau Claire, Bill (Jill Tepler) Galetka of Eau Claire and Judy Madlon of Eau Claire.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Barbara, who passed away in 1973 at the age of 15.

In accordance with Bob’s wishes, cremation has taken place and no services will be held. Burial will be at South Fork Cemetery in Hawkins.

Nash-Jackan Funeral Home of Ladysmith is assisting the family.

Fisherman's Prayer: "God grant that I may live to fish until my dying day, And when it comes to my last cast I then most humbly pray, when in the Lord's safe landing net I'm peacefully asleep, that in His mercy I be judged as big enough to keep."

A complete obituary will also be published in the Ladysmith News.