Willard Pulkrabek

Willard Pulkrabek

February 08, 1936 - May 05, 2015

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Obituary

Dr. Willard Pulkrabek, 79, of Platteville, WI, died after suffering from heart and kidney problems on Tuesday May 5, 2015, at Agrace Hospice Center, Madison. Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, May 9, 2015 at the Lutheran Church of Peace, Platteville. Rev. Jeff Pedersen will officiate. Burial will be at Greenwood Cemetery, Platteville. Friends may call from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. on Friday, May 8, 2015 at the Melby Funeral Home & Crematory, Platteville, or from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service on Saturday, at the church. The Melby Funeral Home & Crematory, Platteville is serving the family. Memorials may be made to the Dr. Willard Pulkrabek Memorial Fund. Online condolences may be made at www.melbyfh.com.

Willard was born on February 8, 1936, in St. Paul, MN, the son of William and Clara (Daak) Pulkrabek. He was united in marriage to Dorothy (Lohse) Pulkrabek on July 21, 1973. He served in the Army and was a helicopter co-pilot for the Korean War. He attended the University of Minnesota and received his Doctorate Degree in Engineering. He worked for 3M in St. Paul, before moving to Platteville, and then taught Mechanical Engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville for 22 years before retiring. During that time, he wrote and published a textbook called “Engineering Fundamentals of the Internal Combustion Engine”, which has been translated in five different languages. After retirement, he spent his free time doing genealogy research and writing books on his family's histories. He also wrote and published a book called “Family Trees of the Bible.” He was an active member of the Lutheran Church of Peace. He attended Bible studies and also went on many mission trips. He enjoyed spending time with his family. He is survived by his wife, Dorothy; three children, John (Kim) Pulkrabek, of Platteville; Tim (Jill) Pulkrabek, of Marshall, MN; Becky (Chad) Runde of Onalaska, WI; five grandchildren, McKenzie, Alea, Tyler, Anna, and Sarah; eight siblings, Audrey Schwarting, Gerane (Len) Hill, Grace Netteburg, Joan (Bill) Barte, Carol (Don) Olson, Earl (Nancy) Pulkrabek, Donna (Jim) Heille, and Roy (Mary) Pulkrabek, all from the Twin Cities, MN area; Dorothy's five brothers, Ralph (Linda) Lohse, of Cordova, AK; Herb (Jeanne) Lohse, of St. Paul, MN; Lester (Brenda) Lohse of North Carolina; Bob (Loni) Lohse, of Cooper Center, AK; and Merle (Penny) Lohse of Apple Valley, MN; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his and Dorothy's parents; two brothers-in-law; two nieces; and two nephews.

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KH
Karen Heer
Other •
To Dorothy and family.....I felt so bad when I read Willards obituary. I am so greatful to 4-H for bringing us your families friendship. I will never forget the kids (oops sorry--they are no longer "kids") as they were such good 4-H'ers and now I see they have grown to be wonderful adults. Please accept our sympathy. Dick and Karen Heer
AS
Abdol & Xing Soofi
Other •
Dear Dorothy and Pulkrabek family members, I am so shocked and saddened to receive the news of Will's death. It was only about a year ago, that Will contacted me and asked whether I'll be able to get a copy of his textbook, which has been translated into Farsi and is used as a textbook in Iranian universities for him. I gladly agreed to do so, and asked him to come to our house for a visit. He gracefully arrived to our house to give me detailed information about his book. I asked my sister who was to visit me in China from Iran to purchase and bring Will's book in Farsi with her to China. I delivered the book to Will upon my return to Platteville. Will offered me to pay for it, but I refused to take money from him and wanted him to accept the book from me as a gift. He, nevertheless, left a card for dinner for two in Olive Green restaurant in my mail box at the university. Even though I saw Will only once, he left a very lasting impression on me for being such a nice, kind gentleman, with a great pleasing personality. I shall miss him! May his soul rest in peace!
CB
Charles and Rinda Bahr
Other •
Our sympathy to the Pulkrabek Family. May Dr. Willard rest in peace. Your old friends, Charlie and Rinda Bahr
JL
Jim and Judy Lory
Other •
We are truly sorry to hear of your loss. Tim has been almost like a son to us and at our house so many times during high school, college, and after. We pray God's blessings and peace upon you during this time. We have a funeral at Westview Church Saturday morning as well and will be gone Friday night, but we hope to come by. If we cannot, our thoughts and prayers are with you and we will try to see Dorothy at some other time. God bless you and you have our sympathy. --Judy and Jim Lory
GM
Goldie Melville
Other •
I extend my sympathy to your family. I was very sorry to hear about your loss. Rest assured I will remember him in my prayers. He will be missed from the neighborhood, at the PAC, and various UWP events.
KR
kurt rolle
Other •
Dear Dorothy and Family: I am thinking of you in this time of loss and wish you all the best. Sincerely, Kurt

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