A Rhinelander man was recently honored for his volunteerism for his work with hospice.

Bob Rossi received the recognition as one of two volunteers of the year at the state hospice conference in the Wisconsin Dells.

Rossi has been a hospice volunteer for 15 years, providing companionship and care to individuals living their last months, as well as their families. He has also worked tirelessly on many outreach and fundraising events to benefit Rhinelander’s program.

According to Melissa Houg who nominated Rossi, “Bob is a character that many patients have been blessed with meeting and never seem to forget his face for he brings that much importance into their life.”

Occasionally Rossi even brings a partner to visit other patients at the nursing home…his dog Geno. But for his work, Bob Rossi was a statewide Volunteer of the Year.