Dateline: New Glarus, WI Robert George "Bob" Aulik, age 89, of New Glarus joined Christ after a long illness on January 6, 2011. He was born on August 26, 1921 to William (Bill) and Rose (Jicha) Aulik in Antigo, WI. While growing up Bob helped on the farm and practiced his passion for photography before graduating from high school in 1939. Bob attended UW-Madison in mechanical/electrical engineering until WWII interrupted his studies. He served four and a half years as a civilian with the Army Air Corps as a radio and radar electronics instructor, in addition he also work for as a design engineer for the U.S. Forest Products Lab in Madison for one year. Bob met Mary L. Butter in 1942 and were united in marriage on July 16, 1946. From 1946 to 1954 Bob worked as a consulting engineer for Philips Petroleum and as a salesman/installer for Main Appliance installing residential heating systems and other gas appliances. During his travels for these jobs Bob's passion for photography gained recognition by his peers. In 1954 Bob went to work for Meuer Photoart House where he helped both professional and amateur photographers improve their skills in recording memories. Also during this time Bob freelanced for the Milwaukee Journal and Wisconsin State Journal providing photos for human interest feature stories that usually ran in the Sunday Travel or Local pages. Many of Bob's photos were also published in other publications including Wisconsin Tails and Trails Magazine, the State Historical Society Calendar, Popular Boating, Sailing, Car & Driver, and the K of C Columbian magazine. In 1960 Bob became a participating partner in Bergmann's Pharmacy for 7 and one half years, managing and expanding the camera department. Bob thought he was going to retire early and concentrate on his photography. He then sold his interest in the business to practice his hobby until an opportunity arose to have his own retail business. Bob went to work for Macerich Construction Co, as a project manager and construction supervisor for the building of forty nine Arlan's shopping centers in Wisconsin and Northern Illinois. Following the completion of the Nakoma Plaza Arlan's Shopping Center in 1969, Bob along with his wife Mary opened "Aulik's Remembrance Shoppe" specializing in unique gifts, greeting cards, and photography equipment. Bob again started thinking of retirement in 1979, but after several months of attending auctions and generally being bored, he decided to go back to school and become a certified Property Assessor II. Bob also continued his education and obtained Building Inspection certifications for Residential, Commercial, and Industrial construction in all categories; Construction, Energy, HVAC, Electrical, and Plumbing. Following the Barneveld Tornado in 1984 the State of Wisconsin appointed Bob to oversee the reconstruction. What thought to be a four to five year project went on for eight years and started Barneveld towards the growing community it is today. During this time of loss and rebirth of Barneveld Bob developed his trademark Horseshoe Plaque. Bob presented hundreds of these plaques to the every homeowner he issued an occupancy permit for. He was very proud of his contributions to rebuild the community. Bob also served the communities of Belleville, Brooklyn, Edgerton, Evansville, Monticello, Town of Montrose, Verona, and many special investigative inspections requested by the state. The State certified Bob as an instructor for both assessors and building inspectors for required continuing education credits to maintain their certifications. Bob was an active member of both the Southern Wisconsin Building Inspectors Association (SWWBIA) and the Wisconsin Association of Assessing Officers (WAAO) where he served on the Board of Directors. The WAAO recognized Bob's commitment with the president's plaque in both 1988 and 1990 for his contributions in the assessing industry. Sometime during the early 1960's Bob contracted the "Antique Pox". A disease that proved to be incurable and soon Bob was number 25 at auctions all over southern Wisconsin. Bob had joined the Knights of Columbus in 1948 and was a very active member until his health sidelined him in 2001. Bob promoted and supported the KC activities serving as Grand Knight in two councils, participating as a KC Clown for many years in various parades and festivals. Bob also served as the photographer for the State Council for many years and was the photographer for at least two national conventions. In recognition for his fifty years of service the KC 4th degree class of 1998 was named after Bob. Bob is survived by two sons Paul (Janet) and John (Judy), two grandchildren Heather (Jason) Ackerman and Michael (Carrie) Aulik, and four great-grandchildren; Cody Aulik, Julia Aulik, Paige Ackerman, and Megan Ackerman. Bob is further survived by two sisters; Rita Mattek of Antigo and Josephine Aulik of Thompson, IL, two brothers Jerry (Peg) Aulik of Antigo and Tom (Joan) Aulik of Spokane, WA. He was preceded in death by his parents Bill and Rose Aulik, sister Marion (Mel) White and brother Bill Aulik. His partner in life Mary joined Christ on July 15, 2006, one day short of their 60th wedding anniversary. Funeral services will be held at 12:00 noon Tuesday, January 11, 2011 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 338 S. Harrison St., Belleville, WI with the Rev. Kenneth Klink officiating with burial in Pine Grove Cemetery in Wausau, WI at a later date. Relatives and friends may call from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon the time of service on Tuesday, January 11, 2011 at the St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Belleville, WI. A memorial fund has been established in Bob's memory. "Remember me with smiles and laughter just as I will remember all of you. But if you can only remember me with tears and sadness, I'd rather you not remember me at all."