Rev. Robert P. Pless

Rev. Robert P. Pless, age 80, of Princeton was called home on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, surrounded by his loving family. He was the son of Rev. W.O. and Dorothea (Nohos) Pless and was born in Fond du Lac on July 13, 1945.

A funeral service will be held at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 226 S Clinton Steet in Princeton on Saturday May 9th at 12:00 PM. Visitation will be immediately before the service beginning at 9:00 AM with a reception to follow the service. The service will be live streamed at sjlprinceton.com/page/videos. Burial will take place at Memory Hill Cemetery in Princeton.

Bob attended Lutheran elementary schools before graduating from Wisconsin Lutheran High School in Milwaukee and Northwestern College in Watertown. Bob met his wife Sharon (Semerau) in Milwaukee in 1965 and they were married at St. James Lutheran Church in Milwaukee on August 15, 1970. Pastor Pless’ vicarage was served at Trinity Lutheran Church in Waukesha from 1970 to 1972 and he graduated from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in 1972. He served Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Bismarck, North Dakota from 1972-1977.

In 1977, he accepted a call to St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Princeton, where he served until 2022. During his 45 years at St. John’s Lutheran, Pastor Pless touched many lives as he baptized, confirmed, married and conducted funerals for the members of the congregation that he loved. His greatest love in the ministry was preaching the Gospel and visiting shut-ins. His kind, compassionate, and loving heart will be remembered by everyone whose life he impacted.

In his younger years, he enjoyed playing softball, bowling and golfing. Bob and his wife Sharon also enjoyed traveling and cruising with family and friends. He loved watching and supporting the Badgers, Bucks, Brewers, and Packers.

He is mourned by his sister Mary Qui of Atlanta, GA, brother-in-law Gary (Jackie) Semerau of Marathon, and sisters-in-law Glenna Pless of Danville, IL, Audrey (Vaughn) Pengelly of Miromar Lakes, FL, and Paulene (Douglas) Orton of Knoxville, TN and by many nephews, nieces, and dear friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife Sharon, who celebrated nearly 55 years of marriage prior to her passing last July, his sister Carla and her husband Claire, his brother Richard, his parents Rev. W. O. and Dorothea Pless, in-laws Elmer and Alma Semerau, and brother-in-law Felipe Qui.

Bob would like to thank everyone who provided him with meals, car rides, phone calls and visits – they were very much appreciated. Bob would like to extend a special thanks to the family members and friends who were always there for him and Sharon with so much love, care, and support during these past years. Finally, Bob would like to thank his caregivers, particularly Jessica, for their compassionate care, strength and dedication over these past several months. “I thank God for all of these special people in my life.”

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. John’s Lutheran Church in Princeton or Winnebago Lutheran Academy.