Robert "Bob" M. Rishel

Robert “Bob” Marion Rishel, passed away January 7, 2022 in Plainfield, IL, at the age of 88. Robert was born on August 20, 1933 in Iron Mountain, MI, the son of Marion Ivan and Anna Regina (nee Peterson) Rishel. He grew up in Milwaukee with six brothers and sisters. In 1952 he enlisted in the US Navy and proudly served this country for over 22 years. Most of his naval service was in the submarine force as a crew member of the USS Croaker (SS 246), USS Atule (SS403), USS Abraham Lincoln (SSBN 602), USS Theodore Roosevelt (SSBN 600). and then assigned to the commissioning crew of USS Benjamin Franklin (SSBN 640). In 1966 he was commissioned as a Chief Warrant Officer assigned to the USS Simon Lake (AS 33) in Holy Loch Scotland. The remainder of his service was supporting US submarines operations and maintenance in Portsmouth, NH and Groton, CT. Retiring in 1974 from the Navy he moved the family to East Troy, where he joined the Falk Corporation of Milwaukee as a Field Technical Service Representative. While in East Troy, Robert was an active member of the Masonic Lodge and the UCC Congregational Church. Retiring from Falk, Robert and Konny moved to Bella Vista, AR, where he was an active member of the VFW becoming the VFW Post Commander. He was also a founding member of the local SubVets organization - USS Snook Base. Robert was instrumental in the creation of the Bella Vista Wall of Honor for veterans. He served his community as a Justice of the Peace and drove many veterans to the VA in Little Rock. He was an active member of the Bella Vista Presbyterian Church. He participated in the local theater as a member of the cast of many local productions. Robert was a man of faith, a loving husband and father, who cared deeply for his country, family and friends.

He is survived by his wife Konny Rae (nee Tozier) and children Robert Ivan (Patricia), Cindy Stockhus, Charles (Nancy), and James. Grandchildren include Zachary, Mark, Tyler, Christopher, Matt and Sarah; and four great-grandchildren. He is further survived by brothers Charles and Russell.

Visitation will be held on Friday, January 14 from 11:00 a.m. until the 1:00 p.m. funeral service at Randle-Dable-Brisk Funeral Home, 1110 S. Grand Ave. in Waukesha. Graveside services with military honors will follow at Highland Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to either the VFW or the Alzheimer’s Association.