Bob Skubal

Coach Bob Skubal, age 74, of Tomahawk, passed away peacefully, with family by his side, on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024, as a result of complications that arose from recent surgeries. He was born on Dec. 31, 1949, in Rhinelander, Wis., to the late Edward and Pearl (Gauthier) Skubal, and was the oldest of ten children. 

Bob was a 1968 graduate of the Rhinelander Union High School. After graduation, he attended Taylor County Teacher’s College in Medford, Wis., graduating in 1970 with a lifetime certification teaching degree, and then went on to UW-Stevens Point, graduating in 1972 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Teaching. In 1985, Bob received his Master’s Degree in Education from UW-Oshkosh.

While studying in Stevens Point, Bob met the love of his life, Donna Wirkus, from a double date that was set up by both of their college roommates. They were married May 25, 1973, at St. John’s Catholic Church in Edgar and were wed for over 51 years. Bob accepted his first teaching position in Chilton in 1972, where he was hired to teach 6th grade and coach junior high basketball. While there, he was recruited by the high school wrestling coach, Mike Field, to come into the wrestling room and grapple with the heavyweights. Bob was in his element as a teacher and also in his glory in the wrestling room. Bob enjoyed wrestling so much that he helped establish a junior high wrestling program which he and Mike coached together. In his time at Chilton, Bob also coached junior high and JV football, boys and girls junior high track, and was supervisor for the golf program.

In 1978, after his mother became ill, Bob and Donna decided to move back closer to family. They settled in Tomahawk, a small town in between Rhinelander, where he grew up, and Edgar, where Donna was from. He accepted a 6th grade teaching position here, which began at the National Guard Armory, and concluded at the current Tomahawk Middle School, over a span of more than 30 years. In the beginning, Bob taught all subjects, while in his later years, his primary focus was math. Throughout his time in the classroom and school, Bob was a mentor to many and has had the privilege of educating and molding thousands of young minds with his firm, but fair, teaching style. He always went the extra mile and pushed his students to try and reach their full potential. He never allowed them to give up, even if he wasn’t their teacher, and if you tried your best, you could never disappoint him. He was definitely a unique and unforgettable man that so many knew and respected. His laughter and sense of humor will always be remembered too.

Despite having such a long teaching career in Tomahawk, Bob’s coaching legacy spanned an even longer time frame as it continued many years after his retirement from the classroom. Over his time in Tomahawk, Bob coached middle school and high school football, middle school girls’ track, and all levels of baseball from t-ball, little league, and pony league through the high school varsity program, along with wrestling, which was the sport that he was most passionate about and probably most remembered by. Bob was involved in all levels of Tomahawk wrestling, including being an assistant wrestling coach for 12 years and a head wrestling coach for 15 more. His athletes always worked hard for him and so many of them either qualified for, placed, or became champions at the Conference, Regional, Sectional, and State levels! In 2007, Bob was inducted into the George Martin Wrestling Hall of Fame, the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2015, and the Tomahawk Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2021.

Bob has been actively involved in the community too. He was a member of the Tomahawk Jaycees, Tomahawk Booster Club, Tomahawk Historical Society, Tomahawk Knights of Columbus, and was also a current Tomahawk School Board Member. He was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church where he was a Eucharistic Minister, Confirmation Sponsor, and Money Counter. He and Donna even compiled and published History of Tomahawk Sports 1897 to Spring 2010 (3-volume set) and 50 Year History of Tomahawk Wrestling. These books he was extremely proud of. 

Bob was also a religious man that prayed before each game or meet, and preached the phrase, “I am third.” He wanted people to know that in our lives, God should always be first, Family/Friends/Community were second, and that Ourselves should always be third. In his free time, Bob enjoyed hunting, cutting firewood, having a beer and bonfire, going to concerts and shows, playing cards and games, helping his boys with whatever they needed, and watching his grandchildren with their various activities throughout the year.

Besides his wife, Donna, Bob is survived by their two sons, Joe (Juanita) Skubal, of Tomahawk, and Andy (Erin) Skubal, of Hazelhurst; six grandchildren which include Philip Skubal, Logan Skubal, and Julianna (Xavier) Husby, all of Tomahawk; Justin Skubal, of Pulaski, and Tyson Skubal and Cael Skubal, of Hazelhurst; along with a recently added great-granddaughter, Charlotte Husby. Bob is further survived by five brothers, Ed (Jill) Skubal, of West Salem, Steve (Wilda) Skubal, of Tomahawk, Jeff (Wanda) Skubal, Greg (Connie) Skubal, and Jim (Laura) Skubal, all of Rhinelander; three sisters, Sandra Skubal and Laura Pospychala, both of Rhinelander, and Michele (Mike) Hagen, of Edgar; and one sister-in-law, Jackie Skubal, of Rhinelander. Also surviving Bob are numerous nieces, nephews, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, and many other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Philip and Beatrice Wirkus; and his brother, Bill.

The visitation for Bob was held on Monday, Jan. 6, 2025, at St. Mary Catholic Church located at 320 E. Washington Ave., Tomahawk, from 9 a.m. until the 11 a.m. Memorial Mass. Fr. Aloysius Royan Anthony and Deacon Dan Towle officiated. 

In lieu of flowers or plants, the family will be setting up a scholarship fund in memory of Coach Skubal. Any monies can be sent directly to Generations Funeral Home at PO Box 525.

Generations Funeral Home & Crematory assisted the family.