Robert J. Newhouse, 74, of Oshkosh passed away unexpectedly on Friday, October 10, 2008, at Mercy Medical Center. Bob was born to Lester and Marie (Kuborn) Newhouse in Kimberly, Wisconsin. The family moved to a farm northeast of Freedom when he was 11 years old. He attended St. Nicholas Grade School.
Bob graduated from Freedom High School in 1952 as class president and valedictorian. He lettered in football, basketball, baseball and track. In 1956 Bob graduated with honors from U. W. La Crosse with a B.S. Degree majoring in Social Studies and Physical Education. He played varsity football for 4 years, the team won 3 Wisconsin State University Football Championships and played in the Jan. 1, 1954 Cigar Bowl in Tampa.
He received his Master's Degree from Northern Michigan University in 1965. He began his teaching and coaching career at Hortonville High School in 1956 teaching Social Studies and Physical Education. In June 1957 he was drafted into the U. S. Army, serving 18 months in West Germany, attaining the rank of Sergeant. Upon discharge, he returned to Hortonville, teaching and coaching various sports for 16 years. He started Hortonville's first wrestling program in 1960, and became Hortonville's first Athletic Director.
In 1974 Bob moved to Omro High School teaching Social Studies for the next 21 years. While at Omro he coached football and track, and served as Athletic Director for 11 years.
He was very honored to serve as an Assistant Coach of the South Team for the Shrine Bowl in 1986. The Wisconsin Federation of High School Coaches selected him as the District 4 Coach of the Year in 1988. He was elected to the Omro High School Wall of Fame in 2001. Bob was inducted into the Wisconsin High School Football Coaches Association in 2005.
Following retirement in 1995, Bob remained very active at St. Raphael's serving as an usher and doing many handiwork jobs as a member of the Building and Grounds committee.
Bob and his wife celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on November 27, 2007. Their spare time was spent biking the State trails around Wisconsin, traveling the USA - including an Alaskan cruise in 2006, and of course attending their grandchildren's activities.
Treasuring Bob's memory are his beloved wife, Darlene (nee Huss) Newhouse; children, Greg (Julie) Newhouse of Appleton, Mary Stierna of Oshkosh, Jeff Newhouse of Oshkosh and Lori (Rob) Ryf of Berlin; grandchildren, Molly and Eric Stierna, Olivia and Valerie Newhouse, Sam and Sophie Ryf; brother, Ronald (Mila) Newhouse of Tucson, Arizona; brother-in-law, Russell (Beata) Huss of Freedom; and sister-in-law, Elaine (Jack) VandenBerg of Townsend. He was preceded in death by his parents; step-mother, Julie Arnoldussen Newhouse; son-in-law, Terry Stierna; brother-in-law and his wife, Glenn and Rosemary Huss.
A special thank you goes out to the intensive care staff at Mercy Medical Center.
The Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 14, 2008, at St. Raphael the Archangel Catholic Church, 830 S. Westhaven Drive, with Fr. Doug LeCaptain as celebrant. Visiting hours at the church will begin at 2:30 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be directed to St. Raphael Parish or the Omro High School Booster Club in lieu of flowers. Please visit www.seefeldfuneral.com to share condolences.
Seefeld Funeral and Cremation Services
(920) 236-7750