Robert (Bob) J. Shimanek

Robert (Bob) J. Shimanek, 92, formerly of Kewaunee, passed away on January 22, 2025. Some people tiptoe through life, but Bob treated it like an open runway—full throttle, no hesitation, always ready for takeoff. He was an explorer of ideas, a collector of experiences, and a firm believer that anything worth doing was worth doing with enthusiasm (and a touch of mischief).

Bob was an aviation whiz, master mechanic, private pilot, entrepreneur, magician, Toastmaster, ventriloquist (yes, really), and a world-class PB&J connoisseur. If something intrigued him, he dove in headfirst—often with his equally adventurous wife Joanne by his side.

Born with natural curiosity and probably a wrench in his tiny fist, Bob’s mechanical skills took root early while fixing farm equipment under the guidance of his grandfather and uncle. In the early 1950s, anticipating the Korean War draft, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force—igniting a lifelong passion for aviation. His talent for fixing planes became legendary, and when he wasn’t working on them, he was flying them.

And then there was Joanne. The love of his life. His best friend. The woman who “raised him from a pup” (her words). They met as kids, started dating in high school, and shared over seven decades of love, adventure, and relentless card game competitions. Joanne may have expected a quiet marriage, but what she got was a front-row seat to endless projects, spontaneous travel, and whatever new hobby Bob decided to conquer next.

After retiring from the Air Force, Bob never slowed down. He helped launch a private charter & air ambulance service, ran an aviation maintenance operation, trained countless mechanics, and was instrumental in bringing professional aviation education to his community. His contributions earned him the FAA’s prestigious Charles Taylor "Master Mechanic" Award—though he was equally proud of convincing a restaurant to serve him PB&J with grape Kool-Aid just to see if they’d do it.

Bob had a flair for the unexpected. One day, he packed up their RV and took Joanne to a ventriloquist convention—just because. Soon, they weren’t just spectators; they were performing duo acts with custom figures, matching outfits, and plenty of laughs.

He also dabbled in woodworking, bowling, square dancing, and parlor games that both entertained and baffled his grandkids. His quick wit, endless dad jokes, and ability to “MacGyver” anything into working order made every gathering an event. Somehow, he even made polka music feel like a grand entrance theme.

As much as Bob loved a PB&J, his true culinary favorite was Joanne’s Czech family feast: pork roast, sauerkraut, dumplings with caraway, pork gravy, warm yeast rolls, and poppy seed cake that could make a grown man weep. That dinner wasn’t just food—it was tradition, love, and joy on a plate and best of all, spending time with family.

Bob’s presence was larger than life. Though his departure leaves a hole in the universe, it’s easy to imagine him already fixing up the pearly gates—and lobbying for PB&J on Heaven’s snack menu.

He is survived by Joanne, their five wonderful and talented children, a whole gaggle of grandkids and great-grandkids, and more friends than you can shake a ventriloquist figure at. His legacy lives on in every airplane he touched, every student he mentored, and every person lucky enough to hear one of his stories.

The Shimanek family extends heartfelt thanks to all the caregivers and medical personnel who supported Bob through the years. Two years ago, we thought we might lose him—but, like the Energizer Bunny, he kept going thanks to their outstanding care. We are forever grateful.

A celebration of Bob’s life and service will be held at 9:00 AM CT, Saturday, June 28, 2025, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 521 Juneau Street, Kewaunee, WI 54216. A luncheon reception will follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Bob’s honor can be made to:
St. Paul’s Endowment Fund
202 West Case Street, Negaunee, MI 49866

Kinnard Funeral & Cremation Services is assisting the family.
Online condolences may be shared at KinnardFCS.com.