ROBERT (BOB) CHARLES DARKOW
ROBERT (BOB) CHARLES DARKOW
Robert (Bob) Charles Darkow, 83 of Hixton, WI, passed away Oct. 2, 2025, at the VA Hospice in Tomah. Bob was born Aug. 19, 1942, in Fond du Lac, WI, to Carl and Helen (Henke) Darkow. Helen would later marry Bill Fox upon Carl’s passing. Bill and Helen raised Bob on the family farm in Oshkosh.
Bob was a 1960 graduate of Oshkosh High School. Bob went into the army directly after high school from 1960 to 1963. He attended DeVry University for electrical engineering. Bob then attended Marquette school for electrical engineering, graduating in 1976. Bob worked for Bell Laboratories for 33 years.
Bob retired to Hixton, WI, in 1999. Bob belonged to the American Legion Post 368 where he was commander for three years. He was an usher at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Neillsville for 15 years. Bob’s pastimes included spending time with family and friends, hunting with family on his land and fishing with his friends Gordy and Joan. When he wasn’t hunting or fishing, you could find him tinkering on a project or two in his Bobber Room. Bob attended weekly “Mindfulness Group” meetings with other VA friends, led by Chaplain Tara, which he loved. On a good day, you could find him having a drink and cigar while admiring his views of Rut ‘n Strut hollow.
Bob will be sadly missed by his children, Chris (Steve) Lehrer, Jamie (Connie) Darkow, Brenda (Joel) Ditter and Mark (Stephanie) Darkow; grandchildren Hayley (Alex) Kiander, Anna (JT) Heenan, Morgan (Zach) Schreiter, Kara Darkow, Jacob (Brooke) Darkow, Joshua (Carley) Ditter, Justin (Kay) Ditter, Briana (Ryan) Rink, Olivia (Mike) Darkow and Alexis (Skylar) Darkow; great-grandchildren Layla Rowinsky, Liam and Owen Rink and Cameron and Riley Heenan; sister Judy (Stu) Voldsness; and brother Jim (Cathy) Fox, as well as many nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his father, Carl Darkow; his mother, Helen Fox; stepfather Bill Fox; mother-in-law Mabel Berg; stepfather-in-law Alf Berg; brothers- and sisters-in-law Gerald, Jerome (Maryanne) and Edmond (Theresa) Voldsness, Donald Voldsness, Margaret (Zane) Huff Sr.; ex-spouse Beverly Darkow; and special friend Meredyth King.
A service will be held at Jensen-Modjeski Funeral Home (128 S. Hoffman Street Hixton, Wi. 54635) on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025, with visitation from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and service from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Thank you to the staff and nurses at the healthcare facilities, VA/Hospice in Tomah and Mayo La Crosse, Osseo, Black River Falls and Eau Claire. A special thank you to his friend/health care provider from Village Caregivers, Linda Nyseth, for the kindness, care and compassion shown to our father and his family.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial is being established to honor the VA/Hospice unit.
Jensen-Modjeski Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.