2024 Hall of Fame Inductees

Bob was a WDHS graduate of the class of 1955- and part of the 1st class to graduate from the “new” high school.  He played football and was Senior class treasurer. After graduation, Bob enrolled at U.W. Stevens Point for 1 year but decided college wasn’t his future.

He came back to the Dells to work for his father at the hardware store.  Bob had purchased a 1957 Ford 4-door hard-top and needed extra cash. He went to work nights at Ravens Roost where he met Joan Ziegelbauer from Fond du Lac. Bob and Joan were married on Nov. 27, 1960 in Wisconsin Dells. Yes, that is during hunting season and yes, Bob went deer hunting that morning.

In 1958, he joined the Kilbourn Volunteer Fire Department, replacing Elmer Soma. During his time with the department, he became an EMT.  Over the years, he went up the ranks till he became Chief, serving in that role for 5 years.  He retired after 25 years. After his retirement from KFD, his 3 sons all joined the department.

Bob joined the Army Reserves in 1960.  During the Korean conflict, his unit was activated and assigned to Fort Bragg, North Carolina.  In 1961, Bob and Joan’s 1st child, Karen, was born. He was able to get a short leave to see his daughter and drive a camper to North Carolina.  Joan and Karen joined him at Fort Bragg when Karen was 6 weeks old, living in that camper off base.  The Army made Bob a cook and he used what he learned about cooking for an army.  He cooked for Jaycees, sports banquets, the fire department, and many large gatherings.

When they returned to Wisconsin, Bob told his Dad he needed a real job because he had a family now.  It was decided he would buy out his Uncle Harry McClyman’s interest in the hardware store and partner with his father.  The original McClyman’s Hardware was founded in 1921 at 216 Broadway but outgrew that location.  The Oak Street Store was remodeled in 1963, and where Bob joined as an owner. Bob continued learning at the hardware store, becoming an electrician and master plumber.

In April 1966, 1st son Jim was born. The family was living in the former Tollakson’s house on Elm St. During this time Bob was still on the fire dept and running the hardware store.  In the fall of 1966 The KFD had their 75th Jubilee.  It was such a success that an annual celebration was proposed, and Wo Zha Wa was born.  Bob served on the original Wo Zha Wa committee for a number of years, stepped away for awhile but was asked to return.

After his time as fire chief, Bob ran for school board in Wisconsin Dells. He served 20+ years the 1st time, took some time off, and returned to serve another 20 years.  He retired from the Board in April 2024. His son Jim also serves on the School Board.

In 1971, double-trouble graced the family when twins Scott and Steve were born.  The Elm Street house was not going to work for a family of six.  Bob and Joan purchased Dr. Houghtons house on Church Street where Bob still resides.

Both Bob and Joan were active in the local scouting community and both served on the State Boards for Scouting (Bob for Boy Scouts and Joan for Girl Scouts). Staying active even after their children were out of scouting.

Bob and Joan’s children include Karen (Jim Tischer), a pharmacist in Wisconsin. Rapids, Jim (Lisa), a paramedic with Aspirus in Portage, Scott (Ami), water foreman for Wisc. Dells and Steve (Lisa) road maintenance for the Town of Delton.

These unions have given Bob 7 grandchidren: Andrew, Lizzy, Molly, Katie, Ashley, R.J. and Pierce. They are all going to or graduated from the Wisconsin Dells school district. 

In 2010, Joan passed away after a year-long battle with pancreatic cancer.  They had been married for 49 years. She was able to meet her last grandchild, Pierce before she died.

The city boy still returns to Buena Vista Farm as often as he can.  Deer hunting is always popular and riding ATV’s.  The entire family enjoys time spent there.  In 2011, Buena Vista was granted Century Farm recognition for continuous ownership, in the same family, for 100 years.

More recently, Bob has served on the Columbia County Board and has been serving with the Community Action Board.

In 2012, Bob married Mary Platt. They enjoyed traveling to Florida and chasing around to their grand children’s activities.

Throughout his life, Bob has served his country and his community. He has helped in raising a family that also understands the importance of giving back. Bob’s role in the KFD and on the Wisconsin Dells School Board will not only be remembered for longevity but more importantly in the positive impact he has had on those within our community.

In the fall of 1972, Carol started working at the Dells Clinic. She enjoyed her time with coworkers and patients and received several awards for her years of service and dedication. After 40 years- she retired from the clinic.

Through the years, Carol has played a crucial role in several community projects and events. She was on the committee to fix Hebe, the statue that still stands at the Kilbourn Library today. She is a charter member of the Dells Country Historical Society. The organization works to educate, preserve, advance, and disseminate the knowledge of the history of the Dells County area by displaying items and information where visitors and local people can learn about the Dells area. In 1981, she became the club Historian and has held that role ever since. She was also appointed Curator by Bud Gussel in 2004.

Carol, along with the help of the Dells Country Historical Society, has helped to preserve many parts of Bowman House, large and small. She has gathered items, articles, and documents over the years and worked to organize and preserve them. When curtains needed to be made for the windows in Bowman House, Carol sewed them. And when new volunteers came to help share the history within the museum, Carol helped train them. Carol’s grandfather, Willard, was a blacksmith, and she helped set up his tools in an exhibit within the Bowman House. One of Carol’s favorite projects was working with the high school students in 2013 to organize and open the basement of Bowman House so that more exhibits could be shared with visitors.

Though Carol has accomplished many things in her life, it is her work to preserve the community’s history and share it with those around her that shows her ongoing positive impact. Each year, students in our community take field trips to the museum and can view and learn about the history of our town. Families from all over are able to stop in and view items that have been carefully chosen and preserved so that they may be enjoyed for years and years to come.

Although this work has kept Carol quite busy, she enjoys is quilting, and she has made 10 patchwork quilts since she retired, including one that has been given as Quilts of Valor- which is a quilt that is given to Veterans.

Carol is a member of the Tuesday Club and the Dorcas Society at the Newport Lutheran Church. She has received several awards including the DAR Award for excellence in community service in 2022 as well as a Community Builder award in 2018.

To this day, Carol still lives on the family century farm. She continues to love history and shares her love of it with others.