Date of death: 3/20/2010
Saint Meinrad Class: O 1951
Bob, 83, died at Countryside Home in Jefferson. He was born in Aurora, IL, on Oct. 27, 1926, the son of John P. and Mildred (Burgholzer) Fixmer. He served his country in the U.S. Army during World War II. On Aug. 23, 1947, he married Audrey L. Mettel in Aurora, IL.Bob was a teacher early in his career, and later became a national educational consultant for D.C. Heath & Company, a textbook publishing firm. He returned to teaching for Madison Area Technical College in both Watertown and Fort Atkinson from 2001-04.Bob was a philosopher, avid reader and colorful storyteller. He was active with the community theater and played several roles, the most memorable of which was that of Chief Blackhawk in the local Blackhawk pageant. He enjoyed music and was a drummer, playing in dance bands.He was an active member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and the Father Alfred Endres Council of the Knights of Columbus. He was designated as the first lector and Eucharistic minister under the late Rev. Zander, taught scripture classes and served on the St. Joseph school board. In 2005, the St. Joseph Church library was dedicated in his name.Bob was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Gregory; and a brother, Warren Fixmer.He is survived by his wife, Audrey Fixmer of Fort Atkinson; sons, Robert (Lee) Fixmer, Jr. of Scotch Plaines, NJ, Thomas (Janet) Fixmer of Firestone, CO, Timothy (Carson) Fixmer of Cedar Rapids IA, John (Janine) Fixmer of Fort Atkinson, and Mark (Diane) Fixmer of Fort Atkinson; daughters, Elizabeth Fixmer of Fort Atkinson, Kathi (Curt) Hellmer of Stoughton, Kristin (Mark Dziewior) Baird of Fort Atkinson, Gretchen Olsen of Fort Atkinson, and Patty (Ernie) Gerhard of Fort Atkinson; 18 grandchildren, Jeff (Tricia) Fixmer of Longmont, CO, Kenny (Kelly) Fixmer of Chippewa Falls, Scott Fixmer of Eaton, CO, Andrew (Alex) Fixmer of Los Angeles, CA, Nick Fixmer of Highland Park, NJ, Emma Fixmer of Scotch Plains, NJ, Natalie Fixmer-Oraiz of Durham, NC, Lindsay Fixmer of Brevard, NC, Dylan Fixmer of Boulder, CO, Kristi Hellmer of Stougton, Erich Hellmer of McFarland, Bridget (Sira) Nsibirwa, Lesley Baird of Madison, Hillary Baird of Milton, Craig (Liz) Olsen of Houston, TX, Kerstin (Mike) Helsel of Longmont, CO, Gregory and Robert Fixmer of Fort Atkinson; nine great-grandchildren; and a sister, Joan (Don) Schwiesthal, Shipshawanna, IN.Information obtained from the Daily Jefferson County Union online, www.dailyunion. com