Robert John Carr, A.B.S. (Aging Boy Star) age 80, was born the son of Harold & Della (Braun) Carr, December 18, 1942, in Wabasha, Minnesota. Rob Roy, an endearing nickname from his mother, discovered his love of acting and directing at an early age on Wabasha’s west side where he enlisted actors (neighborhood kids) to be in his play and coerced his brothers to take part in his haunted houses. As a student at Wabasha High School, he excelled in drama activities, founding the Hershey Players to entertain the Wabasha community. In 1960, he graduated from WHS (W-W-W, A-B-A, W-W-W, S-H-A, HIGH, HIGH, WABASHA HIGH…HERE’S TO WABASHA HIGH SCHOOL). All of his students and most of his friends and family knew the “Wabasha Fight Song”! He enrolled at Winona State College, where he excelled in acting, performing in dozens of WSC productions, many at St. Teresa College. He was proud to have performed in the first “My Fair Lady” at St. Teresa. During this time, he also taught at St. Mary’s Grade School in Winona.
In the mid-60’s, he transferred to the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, again excelling in Summer Theatre and main stage productions. He became an Equity Actor and performed with a touring company of “Glass Menagerie,” acting with the renowned Julie Hayden who created the original Laura on Broadway.
Bob graduated with a B.A. from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire in 1970 and took a position in English and Drama at Fall Creek High School. He taught at FCHS for the next 34 years, where he coordinated the first Gifted and Talented program and founded the Japan Exchange Program. He taught in many summer programs, including the UWEC Arts Summer Institute, the Gifted School for the Arts at Brevard, NC, the Firespark Program for Gifted Students in the Arts at Gainesville, Georgia and STREAM at UW-Whitewater. He helped develop the Wisconsin ArtsWorld program as Artistic Director and teacher and served as an officer for the Northwest Education Association.
In 1966, he met his partner for life and eventual husband, Roger Groenewold. Together they founded the Chippewa Valley Theatre Guild (CVTG) which has entertained the Eau Claire community for over 40 years and has proven to be an important arts organization in the Chippewa Valley. Bob, also known as the “King of Cameos,” directed many theatre productions, taught countless classes, mentored kids and adults alike, and served on CVTG’s Board of Directors. In 2010, he received ECCF’s Children’s Legacy Outstanding Achievement Award for his work in the community.
Bob is survived by his husband, Roger Groenewold, celebrating 57 years together; his puppies, William and Curly; his foster, son Lee Hericks (Aldi Irawan); and hundreds of former students and fans. He is also survived by his brothers, Dennis (Susan McClone), Wabasha, Donald (Danaca “she who must be obeyed”), Wabasha; his sister, Marne Carr, Blaire, WI; along with loving nieces and nephews who adored his sarcastic humor and entertaining wit.
He is pre-deceased by his parents; brothers, Jerold, Ronald and Edward; sister-in-law, Sandy; and dozens of beloved dogs and cats who were family members.
Memorials may be given in lieu of flowers to the Chippewa Valley Theatre Guild, 102 W Grand Ave, or to Bob’s House for Dogs, E 3105, Co. Rd HH, Eleva (Curly’s original home) or to the UWEC Foundation, PO 1208, Eau Claire, WI for the Robert Carr/Roger Groenewold Scholarship for LBGQT Students.
Bob will be sorely missed for his wit, his inspiration, and his leadership in the arts and the community! He was a great friend, teacher and mentor. Please raise a toast with a vodka gimlet for a life well-loved and well-lived! A Celebration of Life is scheduled at the JAMF Theatre in the Pablo Center at the Confluence at 7 p.m., Wednesday, June 14. Valet parking will be available. Friends and family are welcome to leave online condolences below.
We all loved Bob dearly and will truly
Miss him. Bob and Roger two of our most favorite people to see coming. We love you both .
Bob was an important support and influence during my undergrad. years at UWEC. I’m forever grateful to both Bob and Roger.
Roger ,I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I always enjoyed you and Bob when I waited on you. You both had a great sense of humor and we’re always so kind. May God bless his soul. He and Olga will be looking down on us as they share a drink and some laughs together. If you ever get up to Duluth ,please give me a call. It would be great to see you. Take care of yourself Roger.
With great sorrow,
Shirley
Roger;
We are saddened to hear of Bob’s passing. We know how very much you will miss him. Please take care.
The Drievers
Bob, I just want you to know how much you touched my life. You & Roger were like second fathers to me. If I’d had known a few weeks ago when we had lunch that it would be the last time I would see you, I would have told you how much I loved you and hugged you just a little bit longer. I just wanted you to know I followed your instructions and stayed with Dozer to the very end. Thank you and thank Roger for being such an important part of my life and showing me what a wonderful human beings look and act like. God bless you and keep you, and please look after Roger, I’ll try to do the same from down here. Miss you and love you pal.
Greg J.
It was a pleasure and a joy playing at the theatre with you in my teens and 20’s. Rest in power, dear friend.
We will miss him immensely.
I was a Greek exchange student back in the late 70’s who was lucky enough to be one of his students! Having it hard to pronounce my Greek name he would call me “Yioyio” ιnstead, making me feel special and putting a positive impact on me! I admired and loved him dearly and was ecxited I had the chance to meet with him again in back in 2005! May he rest in peace!
I will always have a spot in my heart for Bob. He was such a joy always ❤. I worked with Bob teaching him Pilates and basically stretched Bob out during our funny conversations.
I wish that Covid didn’t separate us. We had a great friendship. I will miss him and always remember Bob as my true friend.
We are absolutely heartbroken. Our love goes to Roger and the family he and Bob have built in this community ♡
I have loved Bob as a colleague since he joined Chuck and me to form the triad of the FCHS English Dept., which lasted until he retired. He didn’t drive his first year, so I picked him up every morning where he and Roger lived on Spring St. of course, there were many laughs along the way, as well as a few serious conversations. Because I was the first on the job, I chaired the department for quite a few years until I passed it to Chuck. We three each had our own styles and curricula, according to state standards, but we worked well together, with much teasing and many practical jokes along through the years. Bob even enlisted me to play Joseph’s mother in that musical. He brought local adults into several other musicals as well. Bob has been a beloved friend ever since the first time I drove him to his first day of teaching at FCHS. He leaves a huge legacy at FCHS and in the whole Chippewa Valley. My deep condolences to Roger, Lee, and all his family.
Roger, I’m so very sad for your loss. Mr. Carr, as he was always to me, was a most excellent man, teacher, and friend. I still have the “real” tea set and linens you two brought me from your trip when I house sat for you so very many years ago. I cherish it. May the wonderful memories you two shared, and all your wonderful friends and family sustain you. Much love,
I met Bob when I auditioned for the 2nd production of the newly born Chippewa Valley Theatre Guild 40+ years ago, and had the privilege (and fun) of being directed by Bob in several productions and then working with him as stage manager, costumer, and other roles. Bob was an amazing director, and a glorious friend. We spent many evenings and holidays in a large group of friends playing our version of Dictionary, with hilarious results. I adored Bob in all his wit and glory and diva-ness. All who knew Bob are grieving for the loss of his bigger than life heart and personality. My heart goes out to Roger, especially. .
Five things I knew about Bob: He loved Roger deeply (carried pictures of him in his wallet), wanted the best for his son, was a Two-spirit, made a positive difference in the community, and cared about his friends sincerely. As Horatio said to Hamlet: Good night, sweet prince. May flights of angels sing thee to thy rest. 😢🙏🏼😇
Bob, Roger, and CVTG Theatre Family,
I love you all so darn much.
Our Bob was the best Bob… I know he’s Partying Hardy with Bob Sessions and all our CVTG favorites…
It was great to sing & dance it out last night with the “Rock of Ages Cast at Scoots;
We did a good job honoring Mr. Bob Carrs life! Hooray!!!
We are sticking together as Bob would have wanted us to… I’m so happy to be home for a bit to connect and celebrate the INCREDIBLE LEGACY we all will carry on in our Bob’s honour…
It’s it’s a challenge… massive!
Yet; our Mr. Carr taught us to utilize our feelings in a way so perfectly on and off stage…
I seriously love you all… CVTG 4Ever!!!
Most Sincerely,
Jess Johnson-Behrens
It will not feel like summer without R & R around our firepit. The absence of Bob in our lives feels so…important, in a not-good way. I just hope I can figure out how to make it be important in some good/meaningful way. My heart hurts for Roger, and Lee, and Curly, and all those who knew and loved Bob.
I’m so sorry for your loss, Uncle Roger. Uncle Robbie was one-of-a-kind and the world is poorer for his loss as it was enriched by his life. ❣️
53 years have passed since I was a student in Mr. Carr’s English class at Fall Creek High School his first year teaching there. I clearly remember the first day I sat in his class. I could sense that this guy was going to be one hell of a good time. However, I had no idea of the positive influence he would have on me that I would carry with me throughout my life. He guided me to discover a confidence in myself I didn’t know I possessed through participation in his drama club. A love for theater was instilled in me through his enthusiasm and passion for it. His style of teaching made his English class a blast! I looked forward to it daily. Mr. Carr was one of a kind, not someone easily forgotten. Rest peacefully.
My sincere condolences to Roger and to all of Mr. Carr’s family and friends.
I send my deepest condolences to Roger and to Bob’s family. I loved Bob as a long-time friend and admired him as a teacher. At the Arts World summer program I experienced his ability to transform the charisma of a star performer and director into the empathy and humility of a teacher and a friend. The kids who came to the summer program from schools in which they felt “like a weirdo” left the camp wishing they could move to Fall Creek and be near Bob.
Roger, on behalf of our parents and out family we send our condolences. Bob was such a great joy to grow up around when our circles did intersect. Peace and love to you.
Pete and Anne Riley
Roger, I’m so sorry to hear this. My deepest condolences.
Roger, I’m so sorry to learn about Bob. My sincere condolences to you and your family and to Bob’s family as well. You are in my thoughts and I know you will miss him dearly.
To Roger (my tour director colleague) and Lee (my first Fall Creek Japanese student) my heart is with you both as you travel this new journey without our dear “Carr Sensei”. He will guide you, and we are all here sending support and deepest condolences. His contributions to the Fall Creek curriculum, atmosphere, and learning are bigger than big. His classroom was magical. It was a “home” for so many. It was unique, as was his teaching style, his energy, his genuine love for his students. Bob welcomed me and a Japanese language program to Fall Creek, and we had the thrill of venturing to Japan with our students. Bob was a grateful traveler, willing to immerse, and always sharing and learning “that which is different”. Travel with the angels dear Bob. Peggy Hagmann
Roger,
My thoughts are with you, Lee, and your whole family.
Bob will be missed by so many people, and I am one of them.
Russell
I have so many wonderful memories of Bob who brought so much joy to me and my boys. I always think of him smiling. He created theater in Eau Claire and brought joy to so many through sharing his love of the stage. I will miss him. Roger, I can’t imagine how overwhelmingly sad you must be. My thoughts and love are with you. Helen