Robert Andrae Mischka
October 31, 1934 – April 13, 2025
Robert of Whitewater died at home April 13, 2025. He was born in Milwaukee on October 31, 1934 to Zaner and Helen (Burrill) Mischka. He attended Burlington High School and graduated from the University of Wisconsin in Madison in 1956 with a BBA degree in accounting.
Robert married his high school sweetheart, Mary Margaret Wanasek of Burlington in 1954. Together they had 7 sons, two of which died as infants. After college they moved to Pittsburgh, Pa. where Robert spent 7 years working as an accountant for the U S Steel Corp. They returned to Wisconsin in 1966 and settled in rural Whitewater where Robert lived until he died. Soon after he returned to Wisconsin, he became the Treasurer of Norwood Mills, a synthetic fabric manufacturer in Janesville. Eight years later Norwood was sold and relocated. He was always interested in photography, so he started a new career taking photos at high school sports games and at midwestern horse shows which he continued until his death.
Mary died suddenly in 1997 while they were taking pictures at a horse show in Vermont. Their fifth son, Justin Phillip, died in 2003. Robert is survived by 4 sons: David Paul (Yvonne) in Sun Prairie, Peter Louis of Whitewater, Thomas Robert (Laura) of Appleton and Joseph Edward (Susan) of Cedar Rapids — and by 6 grandchildren, Jennifer, Jacob, Joseph, Jacqueline, Justine and Margaret.
Robert’s ashes will rest alongside those of Mary in the St. Charles cemetery in Burlington. At Robert’s request there will be no services. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, July 19, 2025, from 1:00-4:00 pm at Cravath Lakefront Park Community Center, 341 S. Fremont St., Whitewater, WI 53190.
Memorial donations in Robert’s memory may be sent to Dairyland Driving Club Treasurer, 106 E Park St, Westfield, WI 53964.
Online condolences may be made at www.nitardyfuneralhome.com
