Robert Michael Kools, age 88, of Appleton, passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 14, 2023, at CopperStone Assisted Living in Neenah.  Bob was born in Appleton on December 29th, 1934, to the late Gus and Gertrude (Bellew) Kools.  He graduated from Appleton High School and Marquette University.

In 1958, he was united in marriage to Marlene Hartl.  The couple enjoyed 63 years together until her passing.  After graduating from Marquette and marrying Marlene, Bob proudly served his country in the U. S. Army.

Bob and his brothers took over the family business, Kools Brothers Inc.  from his father, uncles, and aunt.  Kools Brothers, Inc. initially fabricated ornamental iron and then transitioned to a farm equipment manufacturer.  Later in life he retired as a sales representative for Darryl Sykes and Associates.

Bob and Marlene were founding members of St. Bernard Catholic Church.  Over the years Bob served his church as a server, sacristan, communion distributor, donation counter, Salvation Army meal server, and committee member.

Bob was active with the Optimist Club as well as the Appleton Elks Lodge where he achieved the rank of Exalted Ruler in 1981-82.  He was national president of the Farm Equipment Manufacturers Association (FEMA) from 1980-81.

Bob was a man of sharp wit and a hopeful outlook on life.  He was a helpful soul who was quick to volunteer.   He was an avid Packer fan and bemoaned the end of the football season.  Being a consummate lover of desserts, he would never turn down a cookie, donut, or an ice cream cone.

To hear Bob say "one day at a time" was not uncommon.  He used this mantra to help him through forty plus years of sobriety.  While he was a lifeline to many at the Genesis Club, the Genesis Club was a lifeline for him.  It is by the grace of God he was able to achieve this tremendous milestone.

Bob will be missed by his three children:  Michael (Leondra) Kools, Daniel (Sandra) Kools, and Karin (Paul) Kools-Scheel; 3 grandchildren:  Chad (Ashley) Kools, Caitlin Scheel, and Kellin Scheel; great grandson, Chase Kools; 4 sisters-in-law:  Claudeen (Ken) Boyd, Kathleen Faltynski, and Mary (Joe) Petit, Pat (Joe) Doyle; and brother-in-law, Al Hartl Jr.  He is further survived by many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Gus and Gertrude, his wife, Marlene, his in-laws, Albert and Ruth Hartl, his brothers Frank Kools and John (Sally) Kools, twin sister, Kathryn Cowling, and half- brother Don (Eleanor) Engelland.  Other loved family member who preceded him in death include Bob Schierl, Pat Harvey, Ruth Emery, and Dennis Faltynski.

A Memorial Mass will take place at 11 am on Friday, October 27th, at St. Bernard Catholic Church, 1617 W. Pine St., Appleton, with Fr. Paul Demuth officiating.  Friends may visit the church on Friday from 9 am until 10:45 am.  Interment will take place at St. Mary Catholic Cemetery, Appleton.  In lieu of flowers, memorial funds have been established for St. Bernard Catholic Church, the Genesis Club, and Annabelle's Amazing Graces.

The family wishes to thank Anne Marie, PA, Nurse Kay, and other staff at the VA Bradley Center, the ER and hospital staff at St. Elizabeth's Hospital, the staff at CopperStone Assisted Living, Moments Hospice, and the staff and members of St. Bernard Catholic Church for their kind and tender care of Bob over the years.

A live stream of Bob's service may be accessed by clicking or entering the following link before the service: https://stbernardappleton.org/communications/