Robert W. "Tex" Wartke

Robert W. “Tex” Wartke was born January 12, 1939 in Sheboygan to William and Ella Wartke.  He passed away on Monday, June 19, 2023 at Shores of Sheboygan and will be buried in Lutheran Cemetery.

Robert graduated from Sheboygan Central High in 1957.  He was also educated at Jefferson Elementary and schools in Las Vegas, NV.

Robert was proud to have served in the U.S. Air Force.  He gave various jobs a try before starting to tend bar in 1964 for the Jumes Brothers Mediterranean Room, and then as manager at the Executive Hotel until 1969.  Then Robert sought warmer climes in Las Vegas where he tended bar for various properties including his favorites, The Dunes Hotel and The Longhorn Casino, where he was bar manager until he retired in 1999.

Boating and skiing and cars were great past times for Robert but Senior Soft Ball became his passion after he turned 50.  He became the proud possessor of two championship rings while playing outfielder for the 1994 Skinny Dugans and 2006 Elks.  Robert’s tournament travels took him far and wide.  He had some serious wheels and played all out every minute of every game.

In 2006, the injuries from so many years of giving it hell, no matter the sport, mounted up and Robert retired from softball and returned to Sheboygan.  He took up golf, never got very good at it but loved it anyway.  Robert especially had fun with the Tuesday Boys headed by Mike Zwitter and Tom Binder.

“Bobby” as some of the cousins know him, was sentimental about family, and made every effort to stay in touch and visit.  He loved his cousin, Inez Mueller, like a sister and he treated his Aunt Grace like royalty.

Robert leaves behind his daughter, Bobbi Wartke, of Sheboygan Falls, cousins scattered through the states of Wisconsin, Georgia, Minnesota, and Oklahoma, and a host of friends at St. Paul Lutheran Church.  He will be missed.

A Celebration of Life will he held on Friday, June 23, 2023 at 10:00 AM at Lutheran Cemetery in Sheboygan.