Robert "Bob" Meronk, age 68, of Oshkosh, passed away unexpectedly with his family by his side on Monday, January 12, 2015. He was born in Chicago, Illinois on March 4, 1946, to the late Henry and Estelle (Vedrine) Meronk. Bob was a 1964 graduate of Omro High School and was recently in charge of their 50th class reunion. He earned his undergraduate degree from U.W. LaCrosse and his Master's degree from U.W. Madison. On June 15, 1968, Bob married Ruth Hunter in Oshkosh. Bob began his teaching career in Lake Mills in 1968. In 1974, Bob was hired to teach and coach at Oshkosh West where he worked until his retirement in 2003. Throughout his tenure at Oshkosh West, Bob served as an assistant football coach, JV Boys basketball coach and both as a varsity assistant and head varsity boys basketball coach. Bob served as Oshkosh West's head football coach from 1992 - 2002, earning the Fox Valley Association Coach of the Year in 1996 and 2000. Following his retirement, Bob continued as a volunteer football coach for the Wildcats through this past season. Bob was particularly passionate as the head girls track coach, serving in this position two different times and winning numerous championships, including the 1999 Indoor State Meet. He made an impact on many people's lives through his teaching and coaching career. Bob was more than just a teacher and coach; he was a mentor to many athletes and students throughout his 45 year career. He felt honored to have had the chance to coach both his son and daughter. Bob was inducted into the Oshkosh West Wall of Fame in September of 2013. In 2014, Bob walked between 2 and 10 miles every day of the year. He was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying trout fishing and especially bird watching. Six days a week Bob milked cows at his brother-in-law's farm. He and Ruth enjoyed traveling to places such as Arizona, Alaska, Hawaii, and Las Vegas, and he and his son, Greg, have visited all of the Major League Baseball parks. Every Sunday morning Bob enjoyed breakfast at the Roxy and every Tuesday breakfast was at LaSure's. Bob was an active member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Oshkosh. His grandchildren will forever remember their trips with Grandpa to the zoo or for ice cream, playing in the basement or backyard and, their favorite, sitting on Grandpa's lap reading their favorite books and learning from him about the birds. Bob is survived and will be dearly missed by his wife of 46 years, Ruth Meronk, of Oshkosh; a son and daughter-in-law, Greg and Laura Meronk, of Appleton; daughter and son-in-law, Connie and Brian Bernier, of Waukau; grandchildren, Vivian and Ava Meronk, Ally and Evan Bernier and Baby Bernier on the way. He is also survived by a brother and sister-in-law, Jerry and Sandy Meronk, of Poynette; sister and brother-in-law, Sandra and Dennis Kempken, of Winneconne; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Donna and Richard Tritt, Mike and Mary Davis, Ralph and Joan Hunter; and many nieces, nephews, and friends. Along with his parents, Bob was also preceded in death by his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Russell and Dorothy Hunter. A visitation for family and friends will be held on Thursday, January 15, 2015, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Mueller Funeral Home, 904 E. Main St. Winneconne, and will continue on Friday, January 16 from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at St. Jude the Apostle Parish, Sacred Heart 519 Knapp St. Oshkosh. A funeral Mass will be held on Friday at the church at 11:00 a.m. with Fr. Bill Van De Kreeke and Fr. Matt Simonar officiating. Burial will be in the Omro Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, a memorial will be established. If you wish please submit online condolences to muellerfuneralhomeinc.com. You left us way too soon, but you touched our lives like no other. Love you always.