Robert P. “Bob” Zatko, age 82, passed away on October 6, 2023 with his family around him, after a short battle with cancer.
Born in Superior, WI, on June 24, 1941 to the late Paul and Mary (Kondreska) Zatko. Bob attended Washington School in South Range, WI, St. Adalberts in Superior and graduated from East High School in 1959.
After graduation, Bob entered the Navy with his buddy Tom Rotsaert. While in the Navy, he attended boot camp in San Diego, CA, schooling in Great Lakes, Il, Norfolk, VA and Charleston, SC. He was assigned to the USS Proteus A19 (sub tender) in December 1959. In July 1960 the Proteus was recommissioned with a shake-down cruise to Cuba. It returned to Charleston and was later deployed for 15 months to Scotland, to attend to nuclear submarines. Bob was honorably discharged in June 1962 with the rate of YN3 (E4) while working in the Captains office.
After returning to Superior, Bob worked for the Grain Commission in Duluth until October of 1963 when he moved to Kenosha, WI to work at AMC. He only worked there a short time and was hired at Snap-On Tools, starting as a machine operator, and ending as Plant Quality Control Supervisor. He was a member of the Management Club and American Society for Quality Control for 27 years.
On May 9, 1964, Bob married Clarann (Holm) in Superior, WI. They immediately moved to Kenosha. They had two daughters, Lori (Eugene) Capelli and Michelle (Scott) Infusino-Wells.
Bob is survived by his wife of 59 years, Clarann; his daughters, Lori and Michelle; his grandchildren, Dr. Mateo Infusino, Marco Infusino, Nicholas Capelli, Vincenzo Capelli, Kristen (Kody) Marchant and David Wells; his 4 great-grandchildren, Hunter, Kash & Jaxon Marchant and Viviana Stone-Infusino; his sister, Gloria (Zatko) Keckler; his nephew, Geremy Keckler and many cousins in Canada and the U.S.
Bob and Clarann loved to travel. They visited over 50 countries, many of them more than once and all but 4 Caribbean Islands and 2 states. Their favorite were travels with the Viking River cruises. They also had three wonderful family vacations to Punta Cana and Jamaica.
His favorite past time, besides being with family was fishing and hunting with his buddies. Bob loved to watch his grandkid’s sporting and music events. He also loved to hunt, but fishing was his forte. He went many times with a group of 6 to Canadian lakes and fly-ins. He was always voted cook because of his special breading for the fish and fish chowder. His favorite was Lake Holcombe with Alan Dahlgren and friends for 46 years. Second was the Minocqua area with his old Navy buddy Ken Krause.
Bob was a member of Lord of Life Lutheran Church and US Navy Club, Ship 40, since 1991, and golfed in many leagues over the past 50 years. The most recent was, “The Muni Dozen.” He was an avid Packer and Brewer fan, he tried to never miss a game.
Service Date October 13, 2023
Funeral Home Piasecki Funeral Home
SERVICE LOCATION Lord of Life Lutheran Church
Funeral services honoring Robert’s life will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, October 13, 2023 at Lord of Life Lutheran Church, 5601 Washington Rd., Kenosha, WI.
Interment with full military honors will follow in Sunset Ridge Memorial Park.
A visitation for Robert will be held on Thursday, October 12, 2023 from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Piasecki Funeral Home and on Friday, October 13, 2023 at 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service at the church.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Lord of Life Lutheran Church, https://lordoflifekenosha.org or mail donations to, 5601 Washington Rd., Kenosha WI 53144 or Aurora at Home Hospice, https://www.auroraheatlhcare.org or mail donations to 10400 75th Street Suite 300, Kenosha, WI 53142
The family would like to thank Dr. Mark Peterson, Dr. Malik Bandealy and Holly, Ashley, Alicia and Kristen from Aurora at Home Hospice.
