Robert Bernard Van Ert of Summerfield, FL, passed away on May 16 ^th , 2022, at the age of 88. Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on January 29 ^th , 1934, Bob was the afterthought baby and preceded in death by his family: parents Edward and Henrietta, and siblings Eugene, Marion (Prier) and Richard.

A graduate of Pius XI High School, he grew up idolizing his older brothers who served in the Pacific during WWII. Bob was a caddie and an altar boy whose team won the CYO basketball league in 8 ^th grade and then a high school basketball player whose team beat Marquette his senior year. He continued playing basketball while serving in the US Army Corps of Engineers in Kitzingen, Germany, during the Korean War. Bob returned home to Milwaukee, married Sharon, then managed and owned Badger State Dental Lab.

Bob was easy-going, enjoyed slapstick humor, building clocks, playing golf, doing yardwork, going to buffets and fish fries, vacuuming and fixing things. He was a serial home builder: he built homes in West Allis, Wauwatosa, Greenfield, and Muskego, Wisconsin, Louisville, Kentucky, and Summerfield, Florida, at Stonecrest.

Children Mark (Wendy) and Lisa (David Cook) had wonderful childhoods with a pool in the yard(s) and a camper in the driveway. Lisa's boys Adam, Jamison and Wyatt had an indulgent (sometimes more than two servings of ice-cream) and devoted babysitter who always cleaned their shoes and loved to attend their sporting events. His great-grandchild, Raeleigh, was the apple of his eye.

Bob will be greatly missed by his many friends and relatives. His beloved wife of 63 years, Sharon (Howard), was hospitalized from the time of Bob's death until her death on Oct. 26 ^th at age 83.

Services to be held at St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church, Summerfield, FL, Nov. 21 ^st at 10 am. ET, with internment at Bushnell Military Cemetery on Nov. 22 ^nd .