Robert Hruska

Robert “Bob” Hruska, 87, Gillett, died peacefully Sunday afternoon, Jan. 28, 2024, at a Green Bay hospital surrounded by family and friends.

He was born May 19, 1936, in Menominee, Michigan, to William and Mildred (Salewski) Hruska. Bob grew up in Menominee where he graduated high school with the class of 1954. He went on to attend teacher’s college at Marinette, UW-Oshkosh, Northern Michigan and Superior, eventually receiving his master’s in education.

On Aug. 20, 1960, he married Barbara Bonji at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Iron Mountain, Michigan. Shortly after their first anniversary, Bob entered the U.S. Army where he was stationed at Fort Lewis, Washington.

The couple eventually settled in Gillett, where Bob was employed at CESA and the Gillett public schools for 35 years, serving as elementary school principal for 26 of those years. Following retirement, he continued to supervise student teachers for the state of Wisconsin for 10 years.

He was a member of St. John’s Catholic Church and the Gillett Civic Club. As an avid outdoorsman, he authored eight books under the pen name The UP Rabbit, about humorous hunting and fishing stories.

Survivors are his two sons, Randy (Donna) Hruska, Harpursville, New York, and Wayne Hruska, Gillett; four grandchildren, Melaya, Athena, Cal (Natasha) and Garrett; one brother, Bill (Dawn) Hruska, Menominee, Michigan; one sister-in-law, Donna (John) Dickman, Kingsford, Michigan.

He was preceded in death by his parents and wife, Barbara, in 2011.

Visitation will be held after 9 a.m. Monday, Feb. 5, 2024, at St. John’s Catholic Church, 127 Garden Ave., Gillett, until the time of services. Mass of Christian burial will be held 11 a.m. Monday at the church with his nephew, the Rev. Tim Hruska, and the Rev. Francis Dusi concelebrating. Burial with military honors will take place later in the day at Riverside Cemetery, Menominee, Michigan.