Robert V. Likes Sr., age 85, died at home in Rib Mountain, WI on Wednesday, January 25, 2023.

He was born on May 5, 1937, to parents Orla and Gladys Vingren Likes.

In his youth, he was a gifted trumpet player who performed in school and several bands, and later in the US Air Force, where he also served as Airman Second Class, honorably discharged.

It was there that he was first introduced to Judo, and remained active throughout his lifetime in martial arts, attaining the title of Grand Master 10th degree Black Belt in 2022. Teaching and practicing Tae Kwon Do and various forms of self-defense were his lifeblood. He owned and operated Likes Black Belt Academy in Wausau, WI, and orchestrated, attended, sponsored, and competed in local, regional, and national tournaments. He was inducted into the Legion of Honor Hall of Fame Society and was recently honored with a Lifetime Achievement award. He promoted over 1,000 students to black belt between 1981-2023, and hosted belt testing ceremonies for students, which were often followed by picnics or gatherings for families and friends. His deluxe Halloween haunted house parties at the karate school were always great fun.

Robert was a lifelong Master Mason, with the Masonic Evergreen Lodge No. 1171 for 49 years.

He enjoyed skiing, running, exercising, and playing golf. He was an avid reader of western and thriller novels and loved going out to movies. He appreciated and collected martial arts films and Asian art. Motorcycles, boats, and cars were other obsessions; he loved driving his Jaguars and customizing his bikes. Large dogs such as Malamutes, Great Pyrenees, and Bernese Mountain dogs were often his pet companions, but his favorite little lap dog, Teddy, was with him to the end.

He is survived by his sisters: Janice Likes (Kenosha, WI) and Ruthann Risvold (Zephyr Hills, FL); his children: Michelle Goforth (Fort Collins, CO), Auralee Likes (Maiden Rock, WI), Eric Likes (St. Paul, MN), Jaki Oquendo (FL), and Debra Schroer (GA); his grandson: Kekoa Malu Goforth (Fort Collins, CO; and his nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister: Judy Henoch Caston; and his son, Robert Likes, Jr.

The family would like to thank the home health care workers and medical staff of Aspirus Hospital and Kronenwetter Clinic for their compassionate care, the karate community of colleagues, students, and their families, and his neighbors and friends for their support over the years.

Memorials and messages to the family can be submitted to MWCS.WS

Arrangements for a spring memorial gathering will be announced at a later date.