Robert "Bob" Vernon Burch

Robert "Bob" Burch

Died peacefully at home on April 10, 2026.

Bob was born in Racine, WI on April 24, 1954. He was raised on the shores of Lake Michigan and was an excellent swimmer and skier. He met his wife Renate while attending Wm Horlick High School and they were married in May 1976.

Bob and Renate welcomed their beloved son Ryan while living in Madison. He was a devoted husband and father and shared his interest in his many hobbies with his son. His passions included model airplane flying, model railroading, RC cars and boats, boating, and renovation projects including a 1985 Wellcraft cruiser. He was an audiophile and over the years built many speakers in search of the perfect one. He was also a licensed Amateur Radio operator and drone operator. Model railroading and train watching were particularly things they enjoyed together. Bob has numerous nieces and nephews and was known as “uncle duck.”

Bob had a sharp and inquisitive mind and chose engineering as his profession. He began his career at Nicolet Instruments in Madison where he specialized in FTIR Spectroscopy. While at Nicolet, Bob received two patents and was awarded the status of Nicolet Associate Fellow for his contributions. His accomplishments drew the attention of SensIR Technologies, which eventually became Smith’s Detection, in Connecticut. Bob moved the family to Connecticut in 1994. Bob was awarded a third patent while at Smith’s. Bob moved the family back to Wisconsin in 2004 and began Transform Technologies LLC as President. He served as a consultant for a variety of specialized engineering projects for numerous companies. Toward the end of his career Bob worked in the x-ray division of General Electric.

Upon retirement Bob and Renate enjoyed cooking together, boating, trips around Wisconsin and watching trains. Bob adored his rescue cat “Luna” who was a fixture in his office.

Bob is lovingly survived by his wife Renate of 49 years, beloved son Ryan Burch, siblings Jon Burch M.D. (Rita Agarwal M.D.), Patricia Burch Hammes (Pat Borchers), Susan Burch Al-Wathiqui (Mahmood Al-Wathiqui M.D.), Kathy Burch, Thomas Burch, and James Burch. As well as numerous nieces and nephews. Bob is preceded in death by his parents, Vernon and Muriel Burch and his sister Nancy Burch. He will be dearly missed by all.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Iowa County Animal Shelter in Dodgeville, WI. https://ichs.net

A visitation will take place on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at Pagenkopf Funeral Home (2228 N. Silver Maple Lane, Oconomowoc, WI 53066) from 12:00pm to 1:30pm, followed by a memorial service.