Dr. Robert Stader
May 14, 1948-September 8, 2025
Dr. Robert “Doc, call me Bob” Stader, age 77, passed away on Monday, Sept. 8, 2025. He was born on May 14, 1948, in Chicago, Ill., the youngest child of Edwin and Margret (Linden) Stader.
Bob graduated from Minocqua High School in 1966. He attended the University of Wisconsin- Madison for undergraduate work and medical school. Bob served residency at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Wichita, Kan. It was there he met Teresa Prichard who worked as an ICU nurse. They were united in marriage on Oct. 9, 1976, in Andover, Kan., at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church.
On July 1, 1978, Bob started work as a family practice physician and relocated his family to Lancaster. In 1991, he began his own medical practice, Family Medical Center. After 46 years of service, he retired on Nov. 1, 2024.
Bob was a devoted physician, farmer, and humble steward of people and land. His faith in God was important to him as an active member of St. Clement Catholic Church. Bob believed deeply that medicine was about the patient first and foremost. For him, “take care of the patient” was his mission. Bob took time to listen, to sit beside a worried family, and to check in after-hours simply because he cared. His warmth, patience, and perseverance earned the trust and love of his community. Bob lived simply and honestly, never seeking praise or recognition.
He did not shy away from a challenge whether it was in medicine or in life and passed his strong work ethic onto his children.
If Bob was not on the farm or at the clinic, he was seen on his bike traveling between the two, no matter the weather.
Survivors include his loving wife, Teresa; their eight children: Leah (Matthew) Baute, Liz (Dave) Gorski, Matt (Becky), Mike, Andy (Kelli) Stader, Anna (Matt) Selby, John, and Joe (Sabeena) Stader; 25 grandchildren and one on the way; a brother, Al (Alice) Stader; other relatives and countless friends.
In addition to his parents, Bob was preceded in death by a sister, Carole Stader.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Friday, Sept. 12, at 11 a.m. at St. Clement Catholic Church in Lancaster with Father Mark Miller officiating. Burial will be in St. Clement Cemetery, Lancaster.
Kramer-Grau Funeral Homes & Crematory in Lancaster is entrusted with his care.
