Rob 'Gumby' Roseff used his cancer diagnosis to help hundreds of Manitowoc families
MANITOWOC – Aug. 31, the city said goodbye to a man who helped hundreds of local people battling cancer — just as he did.
Rob “Gumby” Roseff, 62, died at his home Aug. 31, according to an obituary. He had been battling Stage 4 cancer for nearly 14 years and took chemo pills daily to help keep the disease at bay.
More than a decade ago, his cancer diagnosis spurred he and his wife Denise to launch Gumby’s Club Fore A Cure, which raised about $600,000 and helped nearly 600 people with cancer.
The longtime Lakeshore businessman was diagnosed with kidney cancer in March 2011. After he had his kidney removed, the cancer spread to other areas of his body. With Stage 4 cancer, he would be on chemo treatments for the rest of his life, Rob told the Herald Times Reporter in November 2019.
Roseff found his diagnosis and illness isolating. To give themselves something positive to focus on, he and Denise decided to organize a golf outing to raise money for Relay for Life, a nationwide fundraising effort for the American Cancer Society.
Hoping to attract 10 friends and raise $250, the Roseffs were happily surprised to attract more than 54 golfers and raise more than $5,000 that first year.
Thus, the annual Gumby’s Fore Life was born, raising thousands of dollars to be used to help Manitowoc County families cover expenses related to cancer.
“We can’t believe how much the (Gumby’s) event has blossomed,” Rob told the Herald Times Reporter in 2019. “I think the turning point for us was keeping it local. People feel really good when they know it is being kept within the community.”
The nickname "Gumby" was given to Rob by high school buddies because of his “lack of ability on the ballfield,” he joked. They carry a stuffed Gumby and cutout to events. “People love to take their picture with it,” Denise said.
Rob worked in the beverage industry for years, and thanked his former workmates, clients and even competitors for being great supporters of Gumby’s Fore Life.
Gumby’s Club Fore a Cure has turned into a celebration for cancer survivors and their families.
“Being OK, a lot of that comes from the support of my family and friends,” he told the newspaper.
Rob remained an active member of the Manitowoc community, even after he retired from his job in 2015 because of his cancer.
He was awarded the Harmony Award by the Clipper City Chordsmen in 2019, according to his obituary. He was recognized by the Milwaukee Brewers for their Community Achievers Award and threw the first pitch at a Brewers vs. Atlanta Braves game.
The city named Rob and his wife Volunteers of the Year in 2019 and they were marshals for the Manitowoc Holiday Parade that year.
The couple received the prestigious Joseph P. Schmitt “Speak Up” award from the Chamber of Manitowoc County in 2021. Rob was inducted into the Lakeshore All Sports Hall of Fame in 2022.
Rob loved convertible rides with his wife and their dog, Vallee, and golfed as much as he could. He also enjoyed announcing local high school sporting events on the radio, announcing basketball games for the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay and was a scorekeeper for Silver Lake College men’s and women’s basketball.
Rob and Denise had two sons, Keith Roseff of De Pere and David Roseff of Manitowoc.
“Rob had a friendly disposition and a fine sense of humor,” his obituary reads. “He shared his time freely without complaint, and in the process helped many people and enriched many of our lives."
Contact reporter Patti Zarling at pzarling@gannett.com or call 920-606-2575. Follow her on Twitter @PGPattiZarling.
This article originally appeared on Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter: Manitowoc Gumby's Club founder Rob Roseff dies, helped fight cancer
