Robert D. Wayne

Robert D. Wayne, 79, of Durand, WI, died on August 26, 2018, due to complications of Parkinson’s Disease and Dementia.
Bob was born November 27, 1938, to John and Lillian (Stein) Wayne. He was the 11th of 12 children. He had a wonderful childhood of hunting, fishing, and horseback riding with his brother Jim. His father owned 500 acres of Chippewa River bottomland adjacent to the City of Durand. This gave Bob and Jim plenty of room to get into mischief. As a youth, Bob enjoyed playing school sports and ice skating. He still skated on Traun’s pond into his 50s and played basketball into his 60s at open gym at the Arkansaw School. In high school, Bob realized the way to a girl’s heart was learning how to dance, so he had his five older sisters teach him. Bob enjoyed dancing his entire life until he could no longer walk.
Bob joined the National Guard in 1957 and served until 1965. In 1961, he was called up with the 32nd Division during the Berlin Crisis. He then received additional training and served in Fort Lewis, Washington.
Following in his father’s footsteps, Bob went into the lumber business for 40 years. He also owned Wayne Implement in Plum City, WI, partially retiring at age 62 due to ill health. His early retirement years found him golfing, bowling, and playing cards at the Senior Center and often with friends. A perfect day was golfing in the morning with Jim, fishing in the afternoon with Jim, and bowling at night with Dick. At one point prior to retirement, Bob was on 5 bowling leagues at the same time allowing enjoyment of this pastime every week night and sometimes Saturdays, too!
On April 3, 1964, Bob met his future wife, Susan Johnson, at Pine Point Dance Hall in Menomonie, WI. They were married February 13, 1965, at Grace Lutheran Church in Eau Claire, WI. Bob and Sue had four children: Kathryn, Matthew, Martin and Sarah. Bob was a wonderful father and grandfather. He was known for the amazing bobsled runs he would create by shoveling snow into massive mounds to guide the kids down a twisting trail on the hillside behind the house. And the day would end with Bob’s “snow candy,” a homemade hot caramel sauce poured over freshly gathered snow in a pan. Bob also built an elaborate tree house in a giant Walnut tree behind the home; he was so proud of never putting one nail in the tree.
Bob also built a log cabin play house that all the kids enjoyed through the years, in addition to building a log cabin on wheels pulled by ponies in local parades. He also built several log homes for people in the area. Bob got five ponies and two horses for the family, and he passed on his love of horses to his daughter Kathy and his granddaughter Abby. Bob was a Webelo leader for his son Matt, a basketball coach for his son Marty, and a basketball coach for his grandson Tim. He so much enjoyed watching all of his grandchildren in their sporting events. And Bob would spend time with his daughter Sarah every night after supper drawing, playing checkers and allowing Sarah to put Sue’s old make up on his face. Bob would often fall asleep as Sarah painted his face. One night some loggers came to the house to pick up their paychecks. Bob quickly arose from his slumber to answer the door unaware of his beauty pageant preparations. The loggers said nothing, but we often laughed and wondered what they might have thought of seeing Bob that night!
Bob was a life-long member of the Durand United Methodist Church. He served on several boards. Bob was also instrumental in the building of the new United Methodist Church in Durand in the 1960s. His last duty was helping Sue serve funeral lunches.
Bob is survived by his wife of 53 years, Sue; his daughter Kathryn and her husband Ron Spindler; his son Matthew and his wife Amy; his son Martin and his wife Chelsa; and his daughter Sarah. He is further survived by his grandchildren: Rob (Beth) Wayne and their son Owen Robert; Tim Wayne (special friend Paige); Joseph and Abigail Spindler; and Emma, Isabella, and Elizabeth Wayne. He is also survived by his brother Jim (Mary) and his sister Hazel (Dick) Swanson, his sisters-in-law Kathryn Wayne, Aileen Wayne, and Kathryn (Robert) Johansen and his brother-in-law Roger Prissel.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents and siblings: Donald (Marion), Mary (Jack) Buchholtz, Earl (Anna), Roy, Dorothy (Don) McMahon, Jonathon “Bill,” Eleanor (Arvid) Johnson, Helen Prissel, and Harvey.
The family would like to thank Jim for taking Bob golfing the last few years. We know it was not always easy. We would also like to thank Mayo Home Health and Hospice for their excellent care these last 20 months.
No services will be held. Please send a card of condolence to the family member of your choice.
Rhiel Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Durand, is serving the family.
Condolences may be made online at www.rhielfuneralhome.com.