Robert John Engelhard, 94
Robert John Engelhard, 94, 4309 Janick Circle, died with his family by his side on September 21, 2021. 
A forester and university educator at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, Bob was loved by his family, friends, former students, and colleagues for his honesty, wisdom, energy, determination, love of people, storytelling ability…and his amazing memory. He was devoted to his family, his community, his faith, and his university touching the lives of countless students he taught and mentored on their way to successful and productive lives and careers. One university colleague said, “I can’t tell you how many alumni have mentioned to me how much Bob’s mentorship meant to them. He changed lives. Everything and every person in his life that he touched came away better than before.”
Bob was born May 16, 1927, in Milwaukee, the only child of Aloys and Ora (Krebs) Engelhard. He attended schools in Milwaukee and graduated from Washington High School in 1945. Upon graduation, he was inducted into the U.S. Army and served in the European Theatre, Medical Detachment, 85th Ordnance Battalion, near Reims, France.
He received a Bachelor of Science degree from Utah State University in 1950; a Master of Science degree from the University of Denver in 1952; and a Doctor of Philosophy degree from Michigan State University in 1969.
During his early adulthood, he lived in Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Louisiana, and Oklahoma, before moving to Wisconsin. He married Karen Beebe of Stevens Point at St. Robert Church, in Merrill, Wisconsin on June 4, 1960. They lived in Merrill, Stevens Point, East Lansing, Michigan, and Marco Island, Florida.
Prior to coming to Stevens Point and UWSP in 1965, he was a professional forester. He worked for the U. S. Forest Service, southern region, from 1952-1956 and Trees for Tomorrow, Inc. from 1956 – 1965. He was a member of the forestry faculty in the UW-Stevens Point, College of Natural Resources from 1965 until retirement in 1991 after a 25-year teaching career during which he received the university-wide excellence in teaching award three times. The College of Natural Resources also recognized Engelhard’s skills in the classroom when he was named the CNR’s outstanding faculty member for 1972, 1975, and 1991. Following retirement, he served as Executive Director of the Wisconsin Woodland Owners Association for four years, working with the Wisconsin State Legislature and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources on private landowner issues.
Bob was a key leader in developing the four-track forestry major at the CNR. He co-led the effort to take UWSP’s Conservation Department to a fully accredited forestry program that is part of the largest natural resources undergraduate program in the United States today. In that effort, he was a leader in developing the UWSP six-week summer camp program that gave students an opportunity to implement their classroom studies and gain valuable hands-on field experience.
Bob was a member of the Governor’s Council on Forestry for six years testifying before the legislative committee on natural resources on legislation which eventually became Wisconsin’s Managed Forest Law (MFL); and served on the state Scientific Areas Preservation Council, advisory to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
Bob was chair of the Society of American Foresters (SAF) Central Wisconsin chapter and chaired the SAF Wisconsin Forestry Hall of Fame Committee. He was named a Fellow in the Society of American Foresters in 1985. In 2005 the German Forestry Association awarded Bob the Bernard Eduard Fernow Medal as a tribute for outstanding achievements and contributions to international forestry in recognition of the 1972 establishment of the CNR’s summer program in the Black Forest of Germany, together with friend and colleague, Dr. Anton Hammer, building a student exchange that continues today. He was awarded the 2005 John Macon Award by the Wisconsin Society of American Foresters in recognition of outstanding service to the profession of forestry in Wisconsin. In October 2009, Bob was inducted into the Wisconsin Forestry Hall of Fame.
He served as the public address voice at all UWSP men’s football and basketball home games for 16 years; served as UWSP Quarterback Club president and was inducted into the UWSP Athletic Hall of Fame for service to athletics in 1994. He served as secretary of the UWSP Faculty Senate and chair of numerous university committees. He was inducted into Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society and advised Phi Sigma Epsilon Fraternity and the UWSP College Republicans.
Bob was a member of the Republican Party, Holy Spirit Parish, Newman University Parish Council, American Legion in Milwaukee, and Kiwanis Club in Merrill. He was elected to three terms as a member of the Portage County Board of Supervisors; served as a member and president of the Stevens Point Water and Sewage Commission for 18 years; and received the John Joanis Leadership Award in 1991. In October 2010, he and Karen were honored by UWSP as recipients of the William C. Hansen Distinguished Service Award.
Survivors include his beloved wife of 61 wonderful years, Karen; one son, Daniel (Annamarie) Engelhard of Neenah, WI; one daughter, Diane (Edward) Loeser of Dublin, OH; four grandchildren, Elizabeth and Robert Engelhard, Leah and Taylor Loeser, and sister-in-law Nora Roberts, Ft. Wayne, Ind.
Preceding him in death were his parents Aloys and Ora, and stepmother Lorraine (Heinzl).
A private family mass will be held at Holy Spirit Parish in Stevens Point. It will be live-streamed via Holy Spirit Stevens Point’s YouTube Channel on Saturday, Sept. 25 at 11 a.m. CDT.
Per the family’s wishes, a public Celebration of Bob’s life will be delayed until large groups of people can safely assemble.
Bob will be cremated and buried on the property of San Marco Catholic Church on Marco Island, Fla. A mass and burial will also be held on Marco Island this winter.
The family would like to extend their most heartfelt gratitude to the entire team of caregivers and staff at The Lodge at Whispering Pines in Plover and Compassus Hospice for the tremendous care Bob received in the final months of his life. In addition, they would like to express their appreciation to Synergy Home Health Care (Stevens Point), Avow Hospice, and Always There Home Health Care (Naples/Marco Island, FL) for their compassion during this difficult time.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to The Robert J. Engelhard Teaching Assistantship Endowment. “This endowment is exciting because it gets to the core of what our College is all about,” said Christine Thomas, immediate past dean. “It will reward and engage top undergraduate students. It will provide unique opportunities for learning and taking on another level of responsibility. It will strengthen our faculty’s ability to teach and mentor students. And it will honor a man who has left an indelible mark on our College’s history.”
Those wishing to make a charitable contribution to the fund should make their checks payable to “UWSP Foundation – Engelhard Forestry Assistantship” and mailed to UWSP Foundation, 2100 Main Street, Stevens Point, Wis., 54481; or give online at https://give.uwsp.edu/give-now and designate “Other Specific Fund – Engelhard Forestry Assistantship – 3847.”
In tribute:
“If the forestry program at UWSP had a face, it would be that of Bob Engelhard. The quality of the program and our national and international reputations have Bob’s fingerprints all over them.”
Dr. Les Werner (former student), Professor of Urban and Community Forestry/Director, Wisconsin Forestry Center
“Dr. Engelhard’s love of forestry was shared through his natural teaching ability. He took a personal interest in his students and alumni alike, noted their talents, challenged them to reach a higher potential, and encouraged them to participate in professional opportunities. During his life, he led by example, as noted by his induction into the Wisconsin Forestry Hall of Fame in 2009. He continued to actively follow the achievements of his former students and Wisconsin’s forestry community throughout his lifetime.”
Nancy Bozek (former student), Executive Director, Wisconsin Woodland Owners Association
“Bob is someone who comes along once in a lifetime and he truly influenced my life.
I know there are hundreds or thousands that can say the same.”
Jeffrey “Bo” Ellis (former student)
Regional Chief Pilot/Captain, United Airlines