Robert William Arkens, 73, of Clintonville, Wisconsin passed away on February 9, 2026 after a six-year battle with cancer.
Robert was born in Milwaukee, WI on July 25, 1952 to Rev. Theodore and Mary Arkens. He grew up in Milwaukee, Gleason, Merrill, and Wausau, WI. After graduating from Wausau High School, he obtained a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from the University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point. A few years later, he received a masters degree in teaching at the same university.
In 1973, Robert married Vicki (Waterman) Arkens, and together they enjoyed fifty-two years of marriage. They moved to Clintonville in 1979 and raised a family of three children. Robert worked as a teacher in the Clintonville School District for more than thirty years. He truly loved being a father of three and a school teacher.
Robert was a friendly, outgoing person who liked outdoor activities with family and friends such as camping, canoeing, and bicycling. He made many canoe trips down the Manitowish River and in the Boundary Waters. He was part of a bicycling club, and three times he completed the 90-mile Race the Lake. After retirement, he enjoyed encountering new people and sights during his solo motorcycle trips to see his sister Nancy in Tucson, Arizona. He loved talking with people around the neighborhood and with his friends at “workshop coffee.”
Music and religion were a big part of his life. Around age fifty, he learned to play guitar. He combined his love of teaching and music by giving guitar lessons to young students. Local people were able to hear him play and sing in the Lincoln Street Trio, Fresh Faith, Five Thousand, and the Methodist church band. He enjoyed study groups on spiritual topics and produced YouTube videos he titled “Reasonable Ideas, Robert Arkens”.
Robert is survived by his wife, three children, and three grandchildren. His children include Caitlin (Dan) Grussing of Parthenon, AR; Landon (Emily) Arkens of Madison, WI; and Alice (Christopher) Wood of De Pere, WI. He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings.
Visitation and Memorial Service will be held on Friday, February 13, 2026 at Clintonville United Methodist Church. Visitation begins at 9:00 AM and the service begins at 11:00 AM with Rev. Diana Ziegler officiating.
In memory of Robert, consider making a donation to Friends of Wisconsin State Parks.
A special thank you to the oncology staff at ThedaCare in Shawano, WI for their great care and concern for Robert during his treatment for cancer.
The Eberhardt-Stevenson Funeral Home & Crematory, Clintonville is assisting the Arkens family with arrangements.
An online guestbook is available at eberhardtstevenson.com.
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