Obituary
Robert “Bob” Treu
Robert “Bob” Treu – Writer, Teacher, Storyteller and Friend
December 23, 1940 – September 26, 2025
As long as anyone who knew him can remember, Bob Treu surrounded himself with books and good-hearted people who believed in lifting others up. Just before dawn on September 26, 2025, Bob passed away peacefully in his room at Riverside Transitional Care in La Crosse, Wisconsin. He was 84 years old.
Born in Wausau, Wisconsin in 1940, his early days were filled with stories, hikes through the woods, and a spirit of curiosity that would shape the rest of his life. In high school, he worked as an usher at the Grand Theater, played the stand-up bass, and wore a brown leather jacket with “Bobbo” stitched on the back– a fitting symbol of his rebellious spirit.
Bob met and married Margaret Lenard, and together they moved to Madison, where he earned a doctorate in philosophy. He went on to teach literature and writing at several institutions, including UW-Madison, Northwestern University in Boston, and years later, short stints at the universities of Monterrey, Mexico and Oldenberg, Germany. Bob found his academic home at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, where he taught for 37 years and was awarded the Certificate for Meritorious Service upon his retirement in 2005. From the day he came, he remained in love with both the beautiful landscape and community of La Crosse, proud to call it home for 57 years.
A passionate writer and storyteller, Bob received the First Place Award for Short Fiction from the Council for Wisconsin Writers in 1984 for his short story Living at the Riverbeau. In 1996, Selected Short Stories by Robert Treu was published by Juniper Press, capturing his lifelong commitment to narrative and voice. He was a regular contributor to Second Supper, a La Crosse-based alternative newspaper, where he offered political commentary, and twice graced the cover, in April 2012 and April 2013. He was also a regular contributor to the La Crosse Tribune and faculty advisor to the UWL literary journal, Steam Ticket.
Bob believed in education as a tool for equity, contributing to summer literacy programs for disadvantaged youth from Chicago and mentoring generations of students with patience, humor, and deep respect for their voices. His philosophy on storytelling was simple and profound:
“I don’t want the labels. I want the stories behind the labels… Given the evidence of earthquakes all around us, I’m constantly amazed at the fault-line courage my neighbors show me in dealing with the day-to-day conditions of existence. That’s been worth writing about.”
Deeply ingrained in his moral character was a strong commitment to social justice, starting with the 1960’s sit-ins, teach-ins and boycotts that occurred on the UW-Madison campus. He continued to participate in acts of solidarity for causes he believed in for the rest of his life.
After retirement, he remained an active member of the La Crosse writing community, participating in poetry readings, mentoring emerging writers and always on the search for new books. He loved Brewers games, Moon Tunes at Riverside Park, and trivia at the Popcorn Tavern, but most of all he adored his four grandchildren and two magical cats, Milo and Angel.
Bob will be remembered as a gentle bohemian, but sometimes feisty soul with a fierce intellect, a dry wit, and a deep compassion for the human condition. His voice, both on the page and in person, helped make sense of the world, not by offering easy answers, but by honoring the complexity of the stories we live.
He is survived by daughter Abigail (Harold) Kruger, grandchildren Margaret and Harold Kruger, daughter Catherine (Ricardo) Ehmann, grandchildren Vivian and Ryker Ehmann, and brother Jon Treu. He was preceded in death by his sister Nancy Young, former wife Margaret Treu, and parents, Gilman and Leone (Scheelk) Treu. A public celebration of life and poetry reading, in honor of his wishes, will be held on Sunday October 5th, 1pm at The Nature Place, 789 Myrick Park Dr, La Crosse. Event information and rsvp here.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made in Bob’s honor to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), an organization that reflects his lifelong values of justice, equality, and dignity for all.
On behalf of his family, we would like to thank Riverside Transitional Care and Eagle Crest Communities for taking good care of Bob, as well as countless other friends that provided him love, companionship and support over his last years. Dad, your spirit will remain strongly held in the driftless heart of La Crosse, where you will be forever missed.
For some years my mother managed a book store near UWL – Bob was a frequent visitor, great storyteller, and friendly conversationalist: a great human being who will be much missed.
My condolences to all Bob’s family, friends and colleagues. I probably met Bob first at poetry events at the Pump House, and then we recognized each other at the food co-op where we’d have coffee and conversation. He liked to talk and tell stories, and loved listening to others’ stories and thoughts. In recent years I saw him regularly at Riverside Transitional Care as I helped administer absentee voting and he voted – every election without fail. He will be missed. Rest in Peace, Bob.
Bob Treu was a great reader of poetry . After he retired, I asked him to visit my sophomore Brit Lit class, and he read W. B. Yeats to us with skill and obvious admiration. I will miss him.
I can still hear Bob’s laughter 30 years later. He always marveled at the beauty of life. I took my first creative writing classes with him, and now I’m still pursuing screenwriting. Rest in peace, Bob. I know you’re witnessing all the beauty of the heavens.
Bob Treu was my favorite English professor at UWL. His love and passion for literature, writing, and discussion enhanced every course he taught, making them tough to get into. May he now rest in peace!
I met Bob in 1968 and we became colleagues and friends, engaging deeply in the anti war movement in La Crosse and committed to anti racist actions and building institutions to provide equity at UW La Crosse as early at 1970. He was a stalwar,t outspoken and assertive force for progressive issues all his life. and an inspiration to students. As a friend he was witty, hilariously acerbic, a delightful conversationalist. He and Jim Lafky could sometimes be a humor duo who could bring you to tears of laughter, Lafky with a sly grin and Bob deadpan funny. He was a delightful colleague and ally in all the fights that mattered and he left and permanent and lasting imprint on the thousands of students who were lucky enough to have known him. University people come and go, some more prominently known, but none with greater impact on UWL than Bobs. I will read a piece of his writing to remember him tonight…..
Bob was one of my favorite writing professors at UW-L. He was a very engaging conversationalist, as well as a supportive and inspiring teacher. I greatly regret that I did not stay in touch with him after college. I went straight from school into writing for the corporate world and the crazy rat race. But his encouragement and warmth stayed with me and always will. His obituary is an evocative and fitting tribute to Bob’s life. My condolences to his family and friends for their loss.
My brother fly high. You will live in our hearts. My son, daughters and Magda love you!
See you mi hermano
I always enjoyed my interactions with Bob. He was quick witted and devoted to education. My condolences.
Betsy Morgan (UWL)