In Memoriam
With deep sadness we report the passing of Robert (“Bob”) R. Henzl, age 88, on August 26, 2024.
Bob was admitted to the Wisconsin Bar on June 5, 1961. After finishing law school, Bob served two and a half years with the Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps before joining the law firm which eventually became Hostak, Henzl & Bichler where he was a shareholder and President of the firm. Bob practiced law for more than 60 years. He served individuals and entities in real estate transactions, including acquisition, development and sales. Bob represented condominium association boards of directors. Bob also helped people plan how they wanted their estates preserved and distributed and worked with their families and corporate representatives in carrying out those plans. Bob’s business transactions work included determining the appropriate business entity and helping in buying and selling businesses. He assisted the owners of the business with management decisions. Transactional work inevitably involved tax concerns which Bob handled, including tax advice, return preparation, and tax appeals. As a transactions lawyer, Bob’s proudest achievement was drafting documents that clearly represented the intentions of the firm’s clients and lead to a successful conclusion of the transaction. Bob had a reputation as a kind, generous person with a brilliant mind and fostered wonderful relationships with clients, some of which have lasted decades. Bob was a wonderful teacher and mentor to younger lawyers and staff. He approached every day with a positive “why not?” attitude. Bob loved the law and worked full-time until his death.
Bob was a graduate of Riverside High School in Milwaukee. He attended the Milwaukee Extension Division of the University of Wisconsin, where he was quarterback on the school’s football team. He was in the first graduating class of UW-Milwaukee, after the school was established with the merger of the Milwaukee Extension Division and Wisconsin State College, Milwaukee. Bob was president of his fraternity Tau Kappa Epsilon and was homecoming king. He received an undergraduate degree in political science from UWM and a law degree from Marquette University.
Always community and civic minded, Bob volunteered his time serving on many committees and boards. Bob served as a Trustee and Secretary of the Prairie School, was a national board member of the Les Aspin Center for Government at Marquette University, a member of the Wisconsin Professional Baseball Park District Board, and was an active volunteer, adviser and supporter of numerous candidates for office.
Bob will be remembered for his great love for his family, his steady and calm demeanor, his sense of humor, and his dedication to his community. We will continue to honor Bob’s memory by continuing his work in the same expert and caring manner.