FISH CREEK - One of Door County s patriarchs of the fruit orchard, wine making and agri-tourism scene has died.
Bob Lautenbach, 72, turned a Fish Creek family farm into the year-round tourist destination now known as Orchard Country Winery and Market more than 45 years ago. His death was announced Tuesday morning on the Orchard Country Facebook page, less than a week before the farm plans to open for the public pick-your-own-cherries season Lautenbach helped popularize on the peninsula. He lived his life full of passion, worked really hard, and had a fire in his belly, an entrepreneurial spirit, a goofiness, and a humble heart, the post on the Facebook page said, in part. He was always willing to lend a hand or offer some wisdom . he loved all those that worked with him (not for him) . and he loved sharing his passion for the cherry and wine industry. We know he touched so many lives over the years.