Robert "Bob" Hackner

HACKNER, Robert “Bob” B.

Robert “Bob” B. Hackner, age 94, of La Crosse, passed away peacefully on Wednesday March 9th at Hillview Healthcare Center. Bob was born November 30, 1921,in La Crosse, Wis., to Robert J. and Bernice (Groat) Hackner. He graduated from Aquinas High School and went on to Notre Dame to obtain an undergraduate degree in architecture.

In 1944, Bob enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corp and served during WWll, seeing time in Iwo Jima as a demolitions expert. He returned from the war to attend the University of Pennsylvania receiving his graduate degree in architecture and while there was awarded a scholarship to study in Italy for a year.

In 1953 he moved to La Crosse and started Robert B. Hackner Architect.  In 1955, he and Harry A. Schroeder began a partnership in Hackner Schroeder Architects.  They designed buildings throughout Wisconsin most notably the La Crosse Public Library, La Crosse Human Services Building, Stokke Towers, North Hall on the UW-La Crosse campus, The Kumm Building on the Western Technical College campus, the Neuman Center and St. Thomas Moore church. It was in the latter design that he got to collaborate with his father of the E. Hackner Alter Company on the woodworking for the for the interior including the stations of the cross. Roger Roslansky became a partner of the company in 1983 and it became known as Hackner, Schroeder, Roslansky and Associates which was later condensed to HSR Associates. Sixty three years later HSR continues to be a leading architectural, engineering and interior design firm.

Bob retired from HSR in 1986 but not being one who could remain idle, he started Robert Hackner Architect.  He went on to be a construction supervisor who oversaw the completion of local construction sites including the La Crosse Center and West Salem High School.

As a lifelong resident of La Crosse, he felt a commitment to the community and served in various capacities on the Police and Fire Commission as well as the Housing Authority.

On November 26, 1955 he was united in marriage to Carol Lee Phillippe.  Together they had 5 children.

Bob lived a full life and took advantage of all that the Coulee Region had to offer.  He shared that love with his children and grandchildren. Together they enjoyed, hunting, fishing on Lake Onalaska, hiking, snow and water skiing, river ratting, boating, camping on the sandbars of the Mississippi, swimming, feeding the deer at Goose Island, walking the dogs in Myric Park, attending and cheering on family at athletic events,

Bob is preceded in death by his wife, Carol, in 2013, his son-in law Steve Olsen and his step grandson Skyler Beene. Bob is survived by his sister Rosemary Faustman Anderson of California, his children Susanne and Shawn Novak, Matt and Holly Hackner, Chris and Kathy Hackner, Robert Hackner Jr. and Lisa Olsen and Peter Kish. He is further survived by grandchildren Barrett (Miwa), Taylor and Zach Olsen, Kaitlin and Chase Hackner, Lucas and Anna Hackner and great grandson Hide.

A Celebration of Life will be from 12:00 noon unitl 2:30 Thursday, April 21, 2016, in The Blaschke & Schneider Funeral Home, 1501 West Ave. So., La Crosse, Wis.

The family would like to express their appreciation to the devoted staff at Hillview for the exemplary care our parents have received over the years.