Jim Blumenberg

Jim Blumenberg passed away at his home on Sept. 26, 2025, in Port Washington, Wis., surrounded by his loving family. He was 91 years old. 

Born in Port Washington, he was the only son of Walter and Viola (nee Greiveldinger) Blumenberg.  

Jim grew up in Port Washington and graduated from Port Washington High School with the Class of 1952.  

After high school, Jim attended St. Thomas College in St. Paul, Minn., where he met and married Roberta Jane Hewitt.  

He enlisted in the Army Security Agency (ASA) and served in Germany during the early stages of the Cold War.  

After his Army service, Jim returned to Port Washington and started his career in law enforcement and public safety. He served as a police officer for Port Washington before joining the Village of Brown Deer Police Department, where he rose to become chief of police, fire chief and director of public safety for the village.  

He earned a bachelor of science degree in criminal justice from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 1974 and became the executive director of Milwaukee’s Board of Fire and Police Commissioners.  He was a lifetime member of the Wisconsin Chiefs of Police Association. He retired in 1990 and returned to his beloved hometown of Port Washington in 1992.

Jim and Roberta were married for 70 years.  

He enjoyed spending time with family, gardening, reading, basking in the sun and walking his many dogs. Jim loved Wisconsin, especially its natural beauty and sports teams. He was a proud Green Bay Packers shareholder and lifelong fan of the Badgers, Bucks and Brewers.  

Thoughtful and steadfast, he followed local and national news, studied history and contributed sage editorials to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and Ozaukee Press.  

Grandpa Jim was a beloved cornerstone of his family. He is survived by his wife Roberta; three children, Beth (Tom) Hintz, Gregg (Nancy) and Mike (Jennifer); seven grandchildren, Jennifer, Nicholas, Jacob, Robert, Joseph, Ben and Aaron; and his great-granddaughter Luna. He and Roberta adopted and raised Nicholas and Jacob after their parents passed.  

He was predeceased by two sons, Chuck and Steve.  

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025, at noon at St. John XXIII Catholic Parish, St. Mary’s Church, Port Washington. Father Pat Wendt presided over the Mass.  

Visitation for friends and family was held at the church on Tuesday Sept. 30 from 10 a.m. until the Mass. 

He was be laid to rest with military honors at Graceland Cemetery, Milwaukee.

Memorial donations may be directed to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in honor of Jim’s son Charles James Blumenberg.

Eernisse Funeral Home, Port Washington, is honored to serve the Blumenberg family.  

Online condolences may be left at www.eernissefuneralhome.com.