Robert Haentze Ferdinand

Robert “Bob” Haentze Ferdinand, 75, of Fond du Lac died at home on January 28th surrounded by friends and family after a 6 year battle with cancer. He was born in Fond du Lac on July 3, 1940, the son of George Ferdinand and Mayo Lesselyoung Ferdinand. He attended schools in Fond du Lac, graduating from Goodrich High School. After graduation he entered the US Navy returning back to Fond du Lac after two years. He then joined the family business working with his father George, grandmother Anna Haentze Ferdinand, brother Tony and cousin Arthur Haentze. Bob married Gloria Bruley on June 9, 1962 at St. Mary’s Church, Fond du Lac and together they had two children; Eric and Nadine. Eventually Tony and Bob became sole owners of the Haentze Floral Co. Bob continued to be involved with the company until his retirement in 2003.

Bob was a very gregarious kind of guy, always willing to help others and an incredible attitude that carried him thru his illness. Throughout life he loved his family, loved to cook and loved the outdoors. He especially enjoyed his grandsons and worked with them and son, Eric on the safety and joys of hunting.

They had a cabin in the woods near Tuttle Lake in which they spent many weekends of fun and laughter. He also had a hunting cabin which he shared with friends in Wood Co. in which they had many enjoyable and successful hunts.

Bob was very active in the Elks Club serving as Exalted Ruler in 1992 and 1993. He was one of the original members to help found the Blue Line Hockey Club and truly enjoyed being a member of the “Romeos”.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Gloria on March 22, 2010, his daughter Nadine on June 27, 2006 and his sisters Helen Ann Spoerke and Georgene Herbert.

On August 10, 2013 Bob married Darlene Ganz who survives him. Survivors also include his son Eric, his grandsons Eric, Luke and Stephen, brother Tony (Ginny) and sister Judy (Richard) Swantz, Darlene’s children Stacy (Gary) Householder, Gwyn (Michael) Kessler, Jeff (Melissa) Conrad and Marjorie Conrad, Darlene’s grandchildren Jeremy, Jason, Terrah and April Householder and Katelyn and Adam Lindsley, his brothers-in-law Harold Spoerke and Kent Herbert, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Funeral services with be held on Monday February 1st at 12:00 PM at the Twohig Funeral Home, 305 Fond du Lac Ave. Fond du Lac. Entombment of his cremains will be at Rienzi Cemetery in Fond du Lac at a later date.

Visitation will be Sunday January 31st from 5:30 to 8:00 PM and Monday, February 1st from 10:00 AM until time of services at the funeral home.

“In lieu of memorials, send flowers”.

The Twohig Funeral Home is serving the family with online condolences and guestbook at www.twohigfunerals.com .