Robert Gress, of Polar, died Thursday, June 20, 2019, at Rosalia Gardens under the care of LeRoyer Hospice. He was 79 years old. He was born on September 16, 1939, in Polar, a son of Willard and Mary (Golbach) Gress. He married Janice Jagla on September 26, 1959, at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Langlade. She preceded him in death on June 24, 2014.

He was a graduate of Antigo High School, class of 1957.

Bob and his wife owned and operated family businesses that included a trout hatchery, Christmas tree and ginseng farms.

He was a member and president of the United States Trout Farmers Association, member and officer of the Wisconsin Trout Farmers Association, member of the Wisconsin Christmas Tree Growers Association, and a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks Lodge 662, Antigo.

He served on the Polar town board, St. James Catholic Church parish council in White Lake, was a charter member of the Polar Blazers Snowmobile Club, and participated in several golf and bowling leagues. He was a licensed private pilot for over 30 years.

Survivors include a daughter, Laura (Ronald) Riemersma of Fond du Lac; three sons, Steven (Diane) Gress of Polar, Jeffrey (Amy) Gress of Wausau, Todd (Shawn) Gress of Slidell, LA; 15 grandchildren and step-grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren; a sister, Joan Foth of Wittenberg; a brother, Eugene (Candace) Gress of Polar.

He was preceded in death by his wife, parents, and a brother-in-law, Lyle Foth.

The funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, June 25, 2019, at 12 p.m. at St. John Catholic Church, Antigo, with Rev. Zach Weber officiating.

Visitation will be 4 to 7:00 p.m. on Monday at the Bradley Funeral Home and 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday at Bradley Funeral Home. A wake service will be held at 6:30 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.