Robert Sertich

Robert (Bob) Arthur Sertich, age 80 of Oostburg passed away on Sunday December 13, 2015 at home surrounded by family and loved ones after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer. Bob was born in Sheboygan on the 31st of March 1935 (almost an April Fool) to the late John and Lorena Sertich. He attended school through the 9th grade before leaving to go work on his sister's farm. Bob's time as a farmer was limited, although loving the lifestyle. After hearing the distant sirens of a Q1 Federal Siren in rural Sheboygan County, Bob knew he had another calling in life. In 1953, Bob started working for Rudy's Ambulance. When Rudy's Ambulance went out of business he and Jean opened Sertich Ambulance in Sheboygan Falls. He was refused a license from the city of Sheboygan so he opened his service in a more centrally located "welcoming" community in the county. He enjoyed serving the citizens, paving the way for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in Sheboygan County. The business was sold to Sheboygan Memorial which subsequently became Orange Cross Ambulance in 1979. At the request from the city of Sheboygan Falls Sertich Ambulance opened again in 1983 due to the long response time experienced from Sheboygan operated services. The service transitioned to Sertich Ambu-Care in 1986 focusing on specialized (non-emergency) medical transport. Bob served as Chief Deputy Coroner under three different Sheboygan County Coroners from 1966 to 1986 - one of which included his son Robert. Bob also served on the EMS Council and Law Committee at this time which established the 911 system for the county. He was proactive in helping obtain the Jaws of Life system for rural fire and first responders. He directly assisted with the start-up of Cedar Grove and Cascade First Responders by providing each of them with an ambulance for their unit. Bob always believed he had the best interest of county citizens in mind, even if it meant clashing with local medical and government officials. Bob's famous phrase "EMS is for the people not the politics." He was also adamant that the police and fire departments have "No business operating an ambulance service". Bob will surely be missed, not only by his family, friends, and colleagues but by the people he served- whether it be pulling people out of burning cars, delivering babies, holding the hands of the bereaved, or many countless untold other things. Those close to him know that now he can be at peace and is no longer haunted by the memories of the traumatic events that became part of his life. Bob is survived by his wife Linda Weeden Sertich, sons: Robert (Kathy) Fricke of Sheboygan Falls, Tim Sertich of "in the middle of no where" Montana, daughter Barb (Brian) Kress of Sheboygan, and son Jason (Melissa) Sertich of Oostburg, his brothers: John of Arizona, Richard (Norma) of Arizona, and Michael (Donna) of Sheboygan, four grandsons: Tristan, Jareth, Saban, Sebastian, and one grandchild soon to be born. He is preceded in death by sisters Virginia Sertich, Ruth Zschetzsche, brother Ronald Sertich, and grandson Skyler Sertich. A Celebration of Bobs Life will be held at Zimmers Westview Funeral Cremation Care Center, W2132 Garton Road, (Hwy 42 and County JJ) on Friday December 18, 2015 where friends may gather from 4 pm until sharing of Bobs life adventure at 6 pm. A reception will follow at Westview. Bob's personal messages: Thank you to the staff at St. Nicholas Hospice and Mark Zimmer for handling my death. I wish to thank Jean Sertich for many years of standing by my side and helping run our community service. Before the official debriefings for emergency medical responders, there was breakfast at the Sertich's. A special thanks to all the former employees that worked for Sertich Ambulance and Sertich Ambu-Care- for the special care you gave to our citizens. Several that deserve special recognition include: Jack Lucyinski, Wayne Huehns, Marvin and Helen Hahn, Donald Saporski, Roland and Sue Preder, John Sprosty, Larry and Carol Marshall, Rudy Grandlic, Dr. Andy Cyrus, Dick Suscha, and former District Attorney Lance Jones. To my loving wife Linda: thanks for all that you do, have done, and continue to do. I love you. A memorial fund has been established in Bobs name.

Memorial Visitation

2015-12-18
4:00
6:00

Zimmer's Westview
W2132 Garton Road
Sheboygan
WI



Service of Remembrance

2015-12-18
6:00
6:30

Zimmer's Westview
W2132 Garton Road
Sheboygan
WI