Robert Holly Obituary
Robert "Bob" Holly, 89, of Menomonee Falls, WI, passed away on August 12, 2025, following many months of battling cancer, leaving behind a lifetime of love, laughter, and memories.
Bob was the proud and steady patriarch of his family, strong, stoic, and deeply sentimental. A true family man, he built a rich life of simple pleasures and time spent together making lasting memories. Nothing made him happier than spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He was known for his quiet strength, his generous heart, and his dry sense of humor, often punctuated by an unmistakable smirk.
Born and raised in Racine, WI, Bob attended Park High School where he met the love of his life, Irene (Stanislawski) Holly, who preceded him in death in 2003. Following high school, he served in the United States Army and talked often and proudly of his service and experiences while stationed in Germany. Later, he attended the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) and enjoyed a successful career as a metallurgical engineer, spending most of his career at A.O. Smith Corporation.
Bob was a perfectionist in his work and in life, yet he found joy in the simple things—a good home-cooked meal, tending to his yard and gardens, grilling out; evenings by the campfire; or dancing with his wife of 43 years. He was active in his children's lives, sharing his love of fishing, hunting and the Wisconsin Northwoods. He served as a Webelo den leader when his sons were young. Bob was an avid golfer, a passion he passed on to Irene, and the two enjoyed many days on local courses and traveled to warm destinations to golf in the winter. He loved animals and enjoyed spoiling the family and neighborhood dogs with treats he kept in a can on his kitchen counter.
His endless dedication to family created a life filled with cherished traditions—family camping trips, Christmas light drives that ended with a stop at George Webb for hot chocolate, backyard bonfires, and endless holiday celebrations. Spending time with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren brought him his greatest joy. He loved spending time with them and spoiling them in small ways. He would slip the grandkids and great-grandkids a few dollars at the end of nearly every visit – what he called "Pop's Money"—and sent them off to get a treat at a favorite local custard shop. He exhausted himself each year to make sure Christmas Day was magical for the kids and special for everyone. During gift openings, he entertained all with his endless shaking of each present as he tried to guess its contents before unwrapping it. And no visit was complete without his signature two-handed "grandpa wave" send-off.
Bob is survived by his children Jeff (Kyle) Holly, Sharon (Curt) Chybowski, Lori Holly, and Richard (Michele) Holly; his grandchildren Jessica (Matt) Ische, Chad (Amanda) Holly, Ashley (Kyle) French, and Leah Chybowski; and his great-grandchildren, Quinn and Mason Ische, Carly, Conlin and Cody Holly and Brady and Graham French. He is also survived by a brother- and sister-in-law, Robert and Sue Strand as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Bob was preceded in death by his wife, Irene; his parents, Michael and Mary Holly; his brother, Cliff Holly; his father and mother-in-law Peter and Rose Stanislawski and many cherished brothers-in law and sisters-in-law.
The family will greet relatives and friends Sunday, August 17, from 11 am to 1 pm at Schmidt & Bartelt Funeral Home, N84 W17937 Menomonee Ave Menomonee Falls, WI. A brief service and military honors will be held at 1pm. (Menomonee Ave is under construction and in front of the Funeral Home entrance, it is open for traffic coming westbound from Appleton Ave but not eastbound. There are two other entrances to the funeral home, one is on the east side of Shady Lane and second is on the southwest side off of Town Hall Road.). In lieu of flowers, memorials in Bob's name to the Wisconsin Humane Society or the American Cancer Society are appreciated.
The Holly family would like to extend its sincere thanks to the staff at Congregational Home, in Brookfield, WI, for their care of Bob.
Visitation Sunday, August 17, 2025 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM Schmidt & Bartelt Menomonee Falls, N84W17937 Menomonee Avenue Menomonee Falls, WI 53051 Phone: (262) 251-3630.
