Robert "Bob" Heintz

Robert “Bob” Joseph Heintz, age 84, of Greenville, WI passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 17, 2025 surrounded by his loving family. He was born on December 8, 1940 in Rochester, New York to the late Joseph L. and Alice K. (Klue) Heintz.

Soon after Bob was born, the family moved back to their home town of Geneva, NY where Bob entered St. Stephen’s Elementary School. He then went on to graduate from DeSales Catholic School in 1958. Bob enjoyed playing football at DeSales and scored the winning touchdown in the historic 1957 DeSales vs Geneva High game. It was the first DeSales win in 55 years to defeat their rival Geneva High School.

Immediately following his 1958 graduation, Bob enlisted in the US Navy. During his 20 year Navy career he served aboard 4 submarines: USS Conger, USS Sablefish, USS Sea Fox, and USS Trigger. His final year, he served aboard the USS Independence air craft carrier. After retiring from the Navy in 1979 he started with Mesto Automation as the Midwest Technical Service Manager and retired in 2006. Bob was a proud veteran and submariner. As a member of the Wisconsin SubVets, he served on the board as both treasurer and secretary.

On May 23, 1964 Bob married Karen Pelling at St. Stephen Catholic Church in Geneva, NY. In 2025 they celebrated their 61st Wedding Anniversary. Together they enjoyed traveling the world while Bob was in the Navy, and have very much enjoyed residing in Greenville, WI since 1983. Robert especially enjoyed being a grandfather. It was often said that Bob would be a great “family man”…and that he surely has proven to be! During his youth, Bob had been active in the Boy Scouts enjoying summer camping and canoeing. Later in life, while living in Northern Maine, he became Scout Leader of son Travis’s troop and shared his joy of canoeing and Family-Camping. Bob was a long time member of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Parish in Greenville, and participated at many Grandparent-Appreciation-Days at St. Mary School.

He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Karen; his children: Kristine Sabee and Travis (Julie) Heintz; his grandchildren: Matthew (Samantha) Berrens, Andrew Heintz, Adam Heintz; and great grandson, Joseph Berrens. He is further survived by his sister, Katherine (Wayne) Serabia of Coeur d’ Alene, ID; and sister-in-law, Janet Pelling of Phelps, NY.

Bob is preceded in death by his parents and his son-in-law, Dwight Sabee.

A Funeral Mass for Bob will be held on Thursday, July 24, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception, N2385 Municipal Dr., Greenville, WI 54942. Visitation will begin at the church at 9:00 a.m. and will continue until the time of the Mass. Interment will be held at St. Mary Cemetery, Greenville with Military Honors. For online condolences, please visit www.valleyfh.com.

Bob’s family would like to give a special thanks to the entire staff of Living Tree Estates in Greenville, WI and Heartland Hospice.

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