Robert Bruce Kaufman

April 21, 1948 - July 25, 2012

Memorial:

Memorial remembrances to Kenosha Christmas Charities, c/o The Kenosha News, 5800 7th Ave., Kenosha, WI 53140; Women & Children's Horizons, 2525 63rd St., Kenosha, WI 53140; Shalom Center, 1713 62nd St., Kenosha, WI 53143 or Hospice Alliance, Inc., 10220 Prairie Ridge Blvd., Pleasant Prairie, WI 53158, would be appreciated.

Obituary:

Robert Bruce Kaufman, age 64 of Kenosha, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 25, 2012, with his very dear family at his side, after a courageous battle with Adenocarcinoma pancreatic cancer.

Born in Kenosha on April 21, 1948, he was the son of the late Alfred W. and LaVerne (Stein) Kaufman. He was the grandson of Albert and Sadie (O'Hare) Kaufman and Edmund and Carrie (Borkenhagen) Stein.

He attended St. Mary's Catholic Grade School and was a 1967 graduate of St. Joseph High School. He furthered his education at University of WI - Whitewater, Gateway Technical College and University of WI - Parkside.

For twenty-three years, he was married to the late Belinda M. (Hamby) Kaufman; they were blessed with two children.

In his early career, Bob worked for International Longshoremen at the Kenosha Harbor, Brass & Copper Workers - Federal Labor Union Local #19322. He was employed by The Kenosha News where he held 33 different positions, including truck driver to controller, and worked in numerous departments, including marketing, sales and retention.

Bob loved and found inspiration in his family; he considered all those he had an opportunity to work with at the Kenosha News his extended family members where he was employed for nearly 50 years. He also had dear friends, with whom he loved to spend time. Since the age of 16, Bob enjoyed fishing with Jim Hauke and especially enjoyed their fishing trips in Canada over the past 30 years. He loved camping with Wayne and Linda Gerlach, among others, and cherished the memories he created with friends while enjoying the outdoors.

A wonderful character, Bob will be remembered for his keen wit and tenacity in meeting his obligations.

An avid sports fan; he enjoyed watching NASCAR races and football games and rooted for the Packers and UW-Wisconsin. He also enjoyed bowling and playing basketball. A scorekeeper and golfer for the TABOO Golf League, Bob played on numerous Pony League and Kenosha News softball teams and marched one year for the Queensmen Drum and Bugle Corp.

A community man with a heart for giving, Bob served on the board of directors and as an officer of many organizations, including Kenosha Christmas Charities, Inc. (Goodfellows), Children's Service Society of Wisconsin - Kenosha, St. Mary's Catholic Church Parish Council and Finance committee, Kenosha News Credit Union and the Kenosha Area Chamber of Commerce (where he was also awarded Volunteer of the Year). He was a member of Holiday House and the former Elks Lodge #750 in Kenosha and a former member of many media organizations.

Surviving Bob are his loving daughter, Krista (Marty, Jr.) Molinaro; his daughter-in-law, Laura Monzon Kaufman; his grandchildren; Elexiana S. Kaufman, Corbin Caleb Kaufman and Sophia Belinda Kaufman; his siblings, Carol Rayner of Tiburon & Rancho Mirage, CA and Thomas (Phyllis) Kaufman; his nieces and nephews, Kimberly Kampert, Michael (Maria Juarbe) Kaufman, Michael Muir, Lucinda Kaufman, Alexis Kaufman, Hope Kaufman, Victoria Kaufman, Cristian Kaufman, Savannah Kaufman and Alyssa Kaufman; and many other relatives and friends.

In addition to his parents, grandparents and former wife, his son, Nicholas and his brother-in-law, Arno Rayner, preceded him in death.

Bob's family would like to extend a special thank you to his doctors, the staff of Hospice Alliance, Inc. and Father Todd Belardi of St. Mary's Catholic Church for the kind and compassionate care they gave Bob. God bless everyone for their love and support.