MENDOTA - Dr. Robert J. “Doc” Krenz Sr., 97, of Mendota passed away July 6, 2021 at Heritage Health with his loving family by his side.

Visitation will be held from 1-5 p.m. on Sunday, July 11 at First United Methodist Church. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, July 12 at the church with Rev. Mary Bohall officiating. Burial will follow at Restland Memorial Gardens with full military rites conducted by Mendota V.F.W. Post 4079. Pallbearers will be Dr. Jim Keen, Chuck Fahler, Dane Richards, Greg Gromann, Mike Wasmer, Chase Bodmer and Carl Wacker. Wasmer Funeral Home is privileged to assist the family.

Bob was born July 16, 1923 in rural Mendota to Dr. Fred and Emma (Gower) Krenz. He married Marilyn J. Walton in Lincoln, Neb. on May 12, 1947. She preceded him in death on Sept. 22, 2014.

Survivors include two sons, Dr. James F. (Susan) Krenz and Dr. Jon C. (Kim) Krenz, both of Mendota; one daughter, Cathy (Dr. James A.) McGaughey of Villa Grove; four grandchildren, Jessica (Dane) Richards of Toulon, Carrie (Nathan) Kiser of Villa Grove, Seth (Amy) McGaughey of Villa Grove and Dr. Trip (Jessie) Krenz of Denver; six great-grandchildren, C.J., Will, Gavin, Piper, Cameron and Elliot; and the past and present staff at Krenz Dental Corp.

He was preceded in death by his wife; one son, Robert Jr. on April 7, 2015; one grandson, Jake McGaughey in 2001; two brothers, Keith and Kenny Krenz; and many beloved four-legged companions.

Bob attended Lincoln Grade School and as a first grader led the Pledge of Allegiance at its dedication in 1930. In high school, he excelled in football and basketball and was a very good student. He enlisted in the U.S. Army several weeks after the Pearl Harbor attack. He served in the Army at Camp Grant in 1941 and trained as a trauma/combat medic in 1941 at Fitzsimons General Hospital in Denver. He attended the U of I - University of Chicago. After receiving his DDS degree at the University of Nebraska, he re-enlisted in the Army and again served at Letterman General Hospital and Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Following an internship and residency, he returned to Mendota to practice in 1950/1951. He re-enlisted in the Air Force Reserves during the Korean Conflict. He attended the Dewey School of Orthodontics in New York and was elected to the European Orthodontics Society. He loved dentistry and believed in being a continuous student. He was a member of the A.D.A.-Illinois Valley Dental Society and served as president from 1959-1960. He was also a member of International Association of Orthodontics, European Orthodontic Society and the Academy of General Dentistry and found time to help Marilyn raise four children.

Doc was a pillar of the community, well-known, well liked and a font of information. He was generous with his time, wisdom and talents and served his community selflessly in many ways. He was a founding member of the Jr. Chamber of Commerce in 1952, the Mendota Area Chamber of Commerce, the Mendota Lions Club for 67 years, American Legion Post 540 for 75 years, was a lifetime member of Mendota Elks Lodge 1212, a 65-year 32nd Degree Mason of the Masonic Fraternity serving under Walnut Lodge 722, and the York Rite Bodies of Ottawa. He won the Horace D. Hume Outstanding Service Award, the Trojan Hero Award, and was the Mendota Sweet Corn Festival Parade Grand Marshal in 2013. He helped establish the Mendota Jaycees and was a longtime member of the Mendota Museum and Historical Society. He and four others were instrumental in preserving the Mendota Golf Course from bankruptcy. He was privileged to participate in an Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. He was a faithful member of First United Methodist Church and taught high school Sunday school for years. He learned to fish, hunt and swim as a youngster and enjoyed them all his life. He found training Brittany Spaniels honor points in hunting especially rewarding. He was a charter member and organizer of the first social fraternity at W.I.U., Sigma Tau Gamma, Xi Si Phi was his professional fraternity at Nebraska. He played and received freshman numerals in basketball and football in 1941 and played varsity football in 1942 before being called up. He could be found at almost any Mendota sporting event, while Nebraska and W.I.U. were a constant source of interest. “Go Big Red” and the Leathernecks. Doc loved to joke and kid his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Memorials may be directed to First United Methodist Church, Illinois Valley Animal Rescue, Mendota Booster Club or Mendota Area Senior Services. Condolences may be left at wasmerfuneralhome.com.