Robert McClyman, age 87 of Wisconsin Dells, passed away on Wednesday, January 22, 2025 at Columbia Health Care Center in Wyocena.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, February 21, 2025 at 11:00 am at the United Presbyterian Church in Wisconsin Dells with Reverend Mark Hughey officiating. Visitations will be held on Thursday, February 20 from 5 pm – 7 pm.  And before the service on Friday from 9 am – 11:00 am.

Bob was born July 9, 1937 in Madison, Wisconsin the son of Clifford and Alma (Ganz) McClyman of Lake Delton.  The family moved to Wisconsin Dells when Bob was 4 years old and it was time for him to start school.

Each year when the school year would end, Bob would spend his summer vacations at his mother's family farm in Alma, WI.  Buena Vista was a large working farm.  He worked alongside his Grandfather and Uncle, doing chores which included working with the animals and milking the cows.  Between his mother's family farm and his father's family farm in New Chester, the city boy learned a lot about country living.

Bob was a Wisconsin Dells High School graduate from the class of 1955.  He enrolled at UW Stevens Point for a year but decided that college wasn't in his future.  He came back to the Dells to work for his father and uncle at the McClyman Hardware store.  He also worked nights at Ravens Roost where he met Joan Ziegelbauer from Fond du Lac.  Bob and Joan were married on November 27th, 1960 at the Presbyterian Church in Wisconsin Dells.  Yes, that was during deer hunting and yes, Bob went hunting the morning of his wedding.

In 1958 he joined the Kilbourn Volunteer Fire Department and during his time with the department he became an EMT.  He retired after 25 years of service, 5 years of which he served as Fire Chief.

Bob joined the Army Reserves in 1960.  During the Cuban Missile Crisis, his unit was activated and assigned to Fort Bragg in North Carolina.  The Army made Bob a cook and he used what he learned in the army in civilian life.  He cooked for the Jaycees, sport banquets, the fire department and many other large gatherings.

When he returned to Wisconsin with his wife and daughter, he bought out his Uncle Harry's interest in the hardware store.  The Oak Street location was remodeled in 1963 and Bob joined then as a new owner.  He continued learning at the Hardware store and became a master plumber.

After his time as Fire Chief, Bob ran for school board in Wisconsin Dells.  He served a total of 40 years on the board and retired in April 2024.

Bob served on the original Wo-Zha-Wa committee and continued to serve on the committee until 2023.  He had been active in the local Boy Scout community and had served on the Boy Scout State Board even after his children were out of scouting.  More recently Bob was appointed to the Columbia County Board in January 2011 and served until April 2022, he was also serving on the Community Action Board in Wisconsin Dells until he was hospitalized in May.

The city boy returned to Buena Vista as often as he could.  The entire family enjoys time spent there hunting and riding ATV's.  In 2011 Buena Vista was granted Century Farm recognition for continuous ownership, by the same family, for 100 years.

In 2012 Bob married Mary Platt.  They enjoyed traveling to Florida and watching their grandchildren in sporting events and other activities. Bob's true joy was his family, especially his grandchildren and the time he spent with them.

Bob is survived by a daughter, Karen (Jim) Tischer of Nekoosa, Wisconsin; and 3 sons, Jim (Lisa) McClyman, Scott (Ami) McClyman and Steve (Lisa) McClyman all of Wisconsin Dells; 7 grandchildren, Andrew, Elizabeth, Molly, Katie, Ashley, Robert James, Pierce Robert, his wife Mary, his brother David (Lois) and the Platt family.

He is preceded in death by his parents and wife, Joan of 49 years.
A special thank you to the staff at Meriter Hospital and especially Dr. Katherine Bakke for their kind and compassionate care. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Wisconsin Dells Education Foundation or The Wisconsin Dells Historical Society in memory of Bob McClyman.