Dr. Robert “Bob” H. Kitzman

Dr. Robert “Bob” H. Kitzman, 87, of Rhinelander, died on November 18, 2025, at his home, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on July 16, 1938, in Racine, the son of Harvey and Edrie Kitzman. He grew up in Racine and spent his summers working on his grandparents’ farm in Upper Michigan. He attended St. Marks Lutheran School and played basketball and baseball. Bob started college in 1956 and received his medical degree at Marquette University in Milwaukee. During medical school he worked part-time as an orderly at Columbia Hospital where he met a beautiful young nursing student, Ruth Tracy. Bob and Ruth wed in 1959 and were married for close to 60 years when Ruth passed away.

In 1966, Bob became a captain in the Air Force and served as the base physician in Battle Creek, Mich. Bob and Ruth moved to Rhinelander in 1972 to raise their children and later to start Northland Orthopedics. Bob was the chief of surgery at St. Mary’s Hospital for many years and served on the Medical Board of Wisconsin. He was endlessly generous with this medical knowledge and talents. Bob was adamant that a patient should never be denied services because they couldn’t pay. For decades he served as the team doctor for the high school sports teams, was an active member of the free medical clinic, and was on the Camp 10 ski patrol.

Bob lived his life as a man of deep faith. He was a lay minister at Lake Bluff Trinity Lutheran in Milwaukee, in the Air Force, and then at Trinity Lutheran Church in Rhinelander. Both he and Ruth frequently served on the church counsel for Trinity and were very active members of the church and Rhinelander community. Generosity and service were deeply ingrained in Bob. He and Ruth provided countless boxes of food, clothes and checks to those in need, often preferring to share their generosity anonymously.

Bob was a beloved father and grandfather. He was always ready to discuss fantasy football, demonstrate a proper grilling technique, fire up the pontoon boat, or read a story to his grandkids.

Bob is survived by his children Michael (Julie) Kitzman, Patrick (Karen) Kitzman, Tracey Kitzman and Erin (Brian) Alft, his grandchildren Dakota, Nicholas, Zoey, Brandon, Colin and Edrie, his sister Carol Berkus, his brother Harvey Kitzman, nieces, nephews and many friends. He was preceded in death by his wife Ruth on December 22, 2018, his parents and his sister Janice Skeba. 

Visitation for Dr. Kitzman will be held on Saturday, Nov. 29 from 10 a.m. to noon, with funeral services following at noon, all at the Trinity Lutheran Church. Reverend Kari Vadis will be officiating. Committal services and honor detail will be held on Monday, Dec. 1 at 10 a.m. at the Northland Memorial Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorials are being established in Bob’s name for the Rhinelander Area Food Pantry and the YMCA of Rhinelander. You may also leave your private condolences for the Kitzman family at www.carlsonfh.com. The Carlson Funeral Home, 715-369-1414, is serving the Kitzman family.