Robert A. Mech
July 25, 1928 -
October 1, 2023
US Veteran
Robert A. Mech, age 95, of Kenosha, passed away on Sunday, October 1, 2023 at Aurora Hospital Kenosha.
Born on July 25, 1928 in Ingram, WI, he was the son of the late Theodore and Amanda Mech. He was a 1946 graduate of Greenwood High School and he received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Education from U.W.-Whitewater in 1950.
His first teaching position was at Tripoli High School in Tripoli, WI, where he also served as coach of the boys and girls basketball teams.
He was in the U.S. Air Force from 1951 to 1955, attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant. He was stationed at Chanute Field in Rantoul, IL for three years. His last year of service was spent in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia with temporary duty assignment in Baghdad, Iraq and Karachi, Pakistan. He received the National Defense and Good Conduct medals.
He married Ethel Runge of Shawano, WI on November 26, 1955. He worked as an accountant and office manager for five years in West Bend, WI.
In 1960, he joined the staff of Kenosha Technical Institute, now Gateway Technical College, as an accounting instructor. He earned a Master of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Post graduate work continued at universities in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Colorado. He retired from Gateway Technical College in 1991.
In 1973, he was elected president of the Racine-Kenosha chapter of the National Association of Accountants. From 1974 to 1976 he served on the National Committee on Chapter Operations. In 1981, he was one of sixty- five directors elected from the national membership for a two-year term on the national board of the N.A.A.
He is survived by four children, Catherine (Mark) Probst of Weslaco, TX, Karen (Tom) Gavahan of Racine, Robert P. Mech of Rochester, MN and Russell Mech of Wausau, WI; four grandchildren, Peter (Roxanne) Jilk, Sarah (Alex) Rodriquez, Danny and Jamie Gavahan; great-grandchildren, Joseph and Noah Jilk; and a sister, Patricia Welsh of Tucson, AZ.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Ethel Mech; two children in infancy, John and Carolyn; two brothers, Melvin and Vernon and his sister, Jean.
Service Info
Funeral services honoring Robert’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, October 6, 2023 at New Life Church, 5038 19th Ave. Kenosha, WI.
The service may be viewed via livestream on the following link http://facebook.com/PiaseckiFuneralHome/live/. You do not need Facebook to watch.
Private interment with full military honors will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 10, 2023 in Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 21731 Spring St., Union Grove, WI.
A visitation for Robert will be held on Friday, October 6, 2023 from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorial remembrances may be made to Kenosha Lutheran Academy, 5038 19th Ave., Kenosha, WI 53140 or https://www.klwolves.com , Shoreland Lutheran High School, 9026 12th Str., Kenosha, WI 53144 or https://www.slhs.us, Gateway Technical College Foundation, 3520 30th Ave., Kenosha, WI 53144 or https://www.gtc.edu or a charity of your choice.
Posted by:
tomMr. Mech was my accounting teacher at KTI in 1969-70. best teacher i ever had. rest in peace Mr. Mech
Posted by:
Jon LyonsI am the Chaplain for The Sons of The American Legion Squadron 21 in Kenosha. My condolences to all family and friends and thank you for your service. Just remember he was a gift from God and knowing him was an even bigger gift.
Posted by:
Marjean SchlagenhaftI remember Mr. Mech from way back in my days at KTI. We had a connection because he was from Greenwood and and I was from the neighboring town of Loyal. He was a very kind person and a mentor to many of us. He will be missed!
