Robert Esse passed away on August 13, 2023, in Green Valley, AZ after living with Alzheimer's disease for a number of years. He was lovingly surrounded by family and cared for by staff at La Via Memory Care and Emblem Hospice in his last days. Robert will be remembered as a beloved and loving father and grandfather, dedicated pastor, engaged community member, and caring friend and neighbor.

Robert was born in 1934 to George and Ruth Esse in Milwaukee, WI. At ten years old he became a farm boy when his family bought and moved to a farm outside of Valders, WI. Robert graduated from Valders High School, St. Olaf College, and Luther Theological Seminary and was ordained as a Lutheran minister in 1960. He served as a pastor in parishes in Madison, MN, rural Montevideo, MN, Madison, WI, Glenwood City, WI and retired from ministry from First Lutheran Church in Eau Claire, WI.

It was in the course of his ministry in Madison, WI that Robert met his beloved Mary J. Nesheim, a social worker with Lutheran Social Services. Robert and Mary married in 1968 and in their happy life together had three children. Mary died from cancer in 1982.

Robert was a lifelong learner, full of curiosity. He expressed his love of history and beauty through being an avid reader, restoring and collecting antiques, world travel, gardening, attending classical music concerts and researching his genealogy. He loved to connect with people, whether it be spending time with his children and grandchildren, hosting friends at his home, visiting relatives or making conversation with strangers. Robert enjoyed volunteering with the Chippewa Valley Museum, the Vesterheim Museum during Nordic Fest in Decorah, IA and making and serving meals at a shelter for families who were homeless. In retirement he served as an interim minister for several years, spent a year teaching at a Lutheran high school in Slovakia, and became a "snowbird" in Arizona where he loved exploring and learning about the local history and culture and being involved in his church community. His deep devotion to his Christian faith was borne out in his pastoral work, his service to others, his charity, and his daily kindness.

Robert is survived by his brother John (Dorothy), his daughter Elizabeth, his sons David (Chandra McGee) and Erik (Adair Rounthwaite Esse), his grandchildren August, Gustav, Ruth, and Olav, his sisters-in-law Jean Swiggum, Joan Gillespie and Tami Nesheim; brother-in-law David Nesheim, and many nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held at Spirit Lutheran Church in Eau Claire, WI on Thursday, Sept. 21 at 11:00 a.m. Visitation will be held at the church one hour prior to the service.

Memorials will be directed to the Stand in the Light Memory Choir of Eau Claire, WI and Beacon House (Family Promise of the Chippewa Valley) in Eau Claire, WI.