Rev. Robert A. Bitter

Rev. Robert A. Bitter, 74, of Fond du Lac. On November 21, 1942, God gave a firstborn son to Harold and Benita (nee Heuer) Bitter of Millersville, Wisconsin. Robert Arthur Bitter became a child of God, through the Sacrament of Holy Baptism, on December 10, 1942. He grew up in a home near the retail store founded by his grandfather, Alfred, in what is now Howards Grove, Wisconsin. He was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, where he learned the faith in and love for Jesus that is Christianity. Robert was confirmed in that Christian faith at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church on March 25, 1956. In the fall of that year, at the age of 13, he began preparing for the pastoral ministry, at Northwestern Prep School and College in Watertown, Wisconsin. On the Watertown campus “Robert” was called “Bob.” Bob Bitter was known for many things during his college years, but especially for being “#26” on the Trojan football team. His fellow teammates will tell you that nobody hit as hard as Bitter did. (So will the running backs on the opposing teams.) In 1965, his love for football continued as a member of the semi-pro team, the Sheboygan Redwings. After college graduation in 1964, Bob continued his ministerial training at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in Mequon, Wisconsin. During the 1965-1966 school year, he served as an assistant to the Dean of Students at Dr. Martin Luther College in New Ulm. Minnesota. On June 4, 1968, he graduated from the seminary and was assigned to the dual parishes of Immanuel Lutheran, Globe, Wisconsin and St. John’s Lutheran, Christie, Wisconsin. He was ordained and installed on June 30, 1968. During his ministry, Pastor Bitter also served as pastor of St. Paul’s, Moline, Illinois, St. John’s, Saginaw, Michigan, and St. Luke’s, Oakfield, Wisconsin. He served the church outside of his congregations as a circuit pastor in Illinois, as the chairman of the Winnebago Conference of the Northern Wisconsin District of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod, as chairman of the district nominating committee, as secretary of the Dr. Martin Luther College Board of Control, and as vice-chairman of the Martin Luther College Governing Board. It was while Bob served in New Ulm, Minnesota, that he met Janeth Stelter. They became husband and wife on June 9, 1968. Jan served God’s people at her husband’s side for over four decades. The Lord blessed their marriage with five children: Rev. Gregg † (Mary), Rev. Thad (Kim) of Portland, Oregon, Nathan (Jody) of Bemidji, Minnesota, Brent (Kristin) of Fort Mill, South Carolina, and Christine (John) Martin of Newburg, Wisconsin. The Bitters are the grandparents of 22 grandchildren. Pastor Bitter enjoyed gardening, fishing (especially for Muskies), model trains, reading, and feeding the wild birds. He was also a devoted Packer fan. But more than anything else, he loved his Lord and Savior, Jesus. His faithful Lord called him to glory on August 23, 2017. “Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.” (Psalm 116:15) VISITATION: The visitation will be from 10:30 – 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 30, 2017, at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, 245 South Second Street, Oakfield. SERVICE: A Christian funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church with Rev. James Borgwardt officiating. Burial will be in St. Paul’s Ev. Lutheran Cemetery, Howards Grove. Memorials may be directed to the following: Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in Mequon, Wisconsin, St. Luke's Lutheran Church, Oakfield, Wisconsin, Redeemer Lutheran Church, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, and Martin Luther College in New Ulm, Minnesota.

Rev. Robert A. Bitter

November 21, 1942 - August 30, 2017