Robert Henry Wichmann

Bob passed away peacefully at Highline Place Memory Care facility on September 23, 2025. He was 92 years old. He was preceded in death by his father John Martin Wichmann Jr., mother Helen Dorothy Wichmann, older brother Charles John Wichmann, younger brother Larry Ray Wichmann, and wife Wynona Adeline (Kleen) Wichmann. Bob is survived by his daughter Cheryl Renee Trayer of Centennial, CO, son Michael Robert Wichmann of Mariposa, CA, grandson Cody Michael Wichmann (spouse Alina) also of Mariposa, CA, and 2 great grandchildren Ava Lisa Wichmann and Paula Tally Wichmann.

 

Birth and childhood…   

Bob was born in his parents’ farm house in rural Iowa County, near the town of Homestead, Iowa. He was baptized at St. John’s Lutheran Church near the farm. Bob and his two brothers were raised on the family’s 110 acre farm. That experience had a profound impact on his life, and molded him into the resourceful, hard-working family man that he became. One of his greatest pleasures later in life was recounting those early farm-life experiences in vivid detail.    

 

High School Years…    

Bob went to Marengo High School, which was located about 10 miles from the farm. It was there that he met the love of his life, and future wife, Wynona. They both graduated in 1950. Wynona was the valedictorian of their class. When he wasn’t working on the farm, Bob enjoyed playing baseball, rollerskating, hunting, fishing, and working part-time at the grocery store and soda fountain in Marengo.

 

Marriage and College Years…  

Bob married Wynona in 1953 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Marengo, Iowa. They remained married until Wynona’s death in 2018 (65 years). They initially lived in Iowa City, IA and Wynona worked to support Bob while he finished his business education at the University of Iowa. Bob was a member of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corp (ROTC) and achieved a Bachelor of Science degree in Commerce (General Business Major) in 1954.    

 

Military and Working career…    

Bob’s military career began after graduation when the Department of the Air Force appointed Bob to active duty as a Second Lieutenant in the Air National Guard of the District of Columbia. He was honorably discharged from the Air Force Reserves with the rank of Captain in 1967.

 

Bob’s private business career included managerial jobs with the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company, Montgomery Ward, Eastern Slope Distributing Company, and the Kwal-Howell Paint Company.

 

Bob’s career demanded long work hours, extensive travel, and many relocations around the United States. Those moves took his family to: Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, TX (enter Cheryl): Iowa City, IA; Bettendorf, IA (enter Michael); Cuyahoga Falls, OH; Overland Park, KS; Murray, UT; Hurst, TX; Moore, OK; and finally to Centennial, CO where they resided for over 40+ years.

 

The Personal Bob…    

Bob valued his faith, family and friends. He and Wynona were active members of many Lutheran Churches (Missouri Synod) through the years. Bob served as congregational president in four different churches. Family vacations were few and far between but always included extended family gatherings at their “century farm” (owned and farmed by the Wichmann family for over 100 years). Bob and Wynona were particularly close to friends Don and Millie Wittwer (Michael’s Godparents) whom they met in Bettendorf, IA. Don and Millie eventually settled in Colorado Springs, CO and often invited Wynona and Bob to visit them at their Cover Mountain Ranch, a beautiful aspen-covered, high-altitude paradise that overlooked the Sangre de Cristo mountain range. Wynona vowed to live in “Colorful Colorado” someday, referring to it as “God’s Country”. She and Bob made this dream come true.

 

Nothing could have made Bob prouder than to see grandson, Cody, use his God given gifts to become a college graduate and a professional athlete (NFL football player). He was proud of the family man Cody grew up to be and was thrilled to be a great grandfather to Ava and Paula.  

 

Later in life….    

Bob and Wynona enjoyed more than twenty retirement years together. They traveled to spend time with family, visited many National Parks, and relaxed in their comfortable home in the “Homestead” subdivision in Centennial, CO. Bob’s hobbies included investing, researching Wichmann family history, volunteering at church, and spending time in the mountains. Bob was a generous man and was quick to help others. Wynona became ill in 2010 and Bob was her primary caregiver until she passed in 2018. Cheryl moved from KS to CO in 2021 to allow Bob to remain in his home. In July of 2025, he moved to Highline Place Memory Care and lived there for 2 months, where he was fortunate to receive excellent care. 

 

End of Life….    

Bob remained very strong in his faith in God until his death on September 23, 2025. He will be dearly missed by his family and friends. Bob believed in his salvation through grace in Jesus Christ. He will rest in peace with God, and his beloved Wynona, in his new heavenly home.

 

A celebration of life service is planned for Wednesday, October 22, 2025 at 3:30 p.m. at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church located at 7691 S. University Blvd., Centennial, CO. Gifts in Bob’s memory can be made in lieu of flowers to Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church. https://www.shepherdhillschurch.org/