Robert D. Chase

The Lord has welcomed his Good and Faithful Servant, Robert D. Chase, into Heaven in the early morning of Christmas Eve - Wednesday, December 24, 2025. Bob was born in Milwaukee, WI on June 21, 1937 to Roman and Irene Chase. He graduated from Bay View High School, and registered for the draft when he turned 18. He attended Marquette University after high school and had to take the bus to downtown Milwaukee since he did not have a car. He was a lifetime fan of the Marquette basketball team, both when they were the Warriors and when they became the Golden Eagles. While going to College he worked at his family’s business, the Blue Jay Bowling Alley on Howell Ave. He left school and went on to serve in the Air National Guard.  When his tour was over, he came back to help at the Blue Jay. He worked side by side with his father and met many wonderful people, a lot of them being people who worked at Mitchell Field just down the road. Airline crews would come in when their shift ended later at night. It is there that he saw the most beautiful girl he had ever seen. He dated her for a few weeks and he was in love. Seven months later, he proposed to his wife, Maria, and she remained the love of his life! They were married in June 1963 and soon started a family. After having 2 children, Bob realized working in a bar was no life for raising his family. His father sold the Blue Jay in 1967 and it was then that Bob searched for God's plan for his life and to support his family. He and Maria fell in love with the Fox Valley and knew that was where they would raise their family. Bob wore many hats - he was a florist, a carpet layer, he sold sewing machines, and in his spare time studied Real Estate. In 1969, he got his Real Estate license and he never looked back. He speaks fondly of his friend and mentor who believed in him and gave him his chance, Doug Robertson of Steinberg-Robertson Real Estate and Insurance. They remain friends to this day. Bob worked hard selling homes and started his own business, Chase Realtors, in 1978. During this time, he had 2 more children and was busy raising his family, going to his children’s school events, throwing the football in the yard with them, shooting hoops in the drive way, and we will never forget all of the family vacations we went on. In 1988, Bob sold his successful Real Estate business to his long time friend and sales manager, Candy Kriner. Bob then started Chase Appraisal and worked side by side with his wife until his retirement in 2015. His son, David Chase continues to carry on the family business.

Just to be clear, Bob's life was not all work. What we remember and those that know and love him remember a man who learned to play the accordion in his 60s and would go to the Living Tree Assisted Living to play for the residents. He would play at family Oktoberfests and just for his grandkids. He learned to paint in his 60s and has gifted many people paintings that he had done. All signed CHASE. You are blessed if he gave you one. Bob had his pontoon boat on the Chain O'Lakes in Waupaca. It was our floating cottage for 27 years and counting. Thanks Bruce for saving us a slip! 27 years of Maui vacations with dear friends and family. Countless fun trips to the UP for fishing family and fun. Everyone loved Uncle Bob. 

Bob had a heart of gold, he loved his wife so much and always put her first. He was the best role model for his children, their spouses, and grandchildren. He loved the Lord, and wanted to learn more, which he did when having coffee with his good friend, Bob Mitchell.

Bob's legacy lives on through all that know and love him, especially his wife, Maria Chase; his children, Gina (Kip) Zilisch, David (Cheryl) Chase, Cathy (Kip) Wenninger, and Angela (Danny) Hernandez; his grandchildren, Katie (Ryan) Bucher, Caroline (Alec) Schmidt, Kali (Griffin) Korth, Joseph Schoen, Romy and Lucy Wenninger, and David, Anna, and Abby Hernandez; his 7 great-grandchildren; his sister, Sharon Costigan; as well as many nieces, nephews, other extended relatives, and dear friends.

In heaven, Bob rejoins his parents, Roman and Irene Chase.

A funeral visitation will be held from 9-11 AM on Wednesday, December 31, 2025 at St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Parish, N2385 Municipal Dr, Greenville, WI 54942 with a mass to follow at 11 AM.  Bob will be laid to rest at St. Mary Church Cemetery immediately following the service.  In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the building fund at St. Mary's Church in Greenville.