Obit: Brown, Robert W. (1923 - 2009)
Contact: History Buffs

----Surnames: Brown, Veldman, Burns, Koller, Sukala, Steckbauer, Lamp, Hebel, Couture

----Source: Marshfield News Herald, Marshfield, Wood Co., WI, Tues., 5 May 2009

Brown, Robert W. (18 Sept. 1923 - 3 May 2009)

WISCONSIN RAPIDS -- Robert W. Brown, 85, of 520 15th St. N., Wisconsin Rapids, died Sun.morning, May 3, 2009 at his home.

Friends may call at the First Congregational Church in Wisconsin Rapids on Thur. from 10 a.m. until time of services at 11 a.m. Officiating will be the Rev. Paul Veldman. Interment will be in the Forest Hill Mausoleum. American Legion Post No. 442 will conduct military rites. He was a World War II veteran in the U.S. Navy. He served in the Aleutian Islands in Alaska.

Robert was born Sept. 18, 1923, in Chicago to Harold and Gladys (Burns) Brown. He married Margaret Koller on March 2, 1946 in Chicago. She died Jan. 18, 2002.

Robert was a life member of the Loyal Order of the Moose, having been a member since 1948. He and his wife were foster parents for more than 100 children in the 20 years they worked with the Wood County Department of Social Services.

Robert worked for Consolidated Papers Inc. for nearly 39 years as a quality systems technician in the main office. He joined Biron Division in 1950 where he worked as a stacker until the finishing operation was closed in 1962. Robert then worked as graphic arts technician and a photomicroscopy technician before becoming a quality systems technician.

Robert enjoyed singing and was a barbershopper for 59 years. He also enjoyed golfing and bowling.

Survivors include his children: Allan (Sandra) Brown, Nekoosa, and their daughter, Kora; Kathleen Brown, Wisconsin Rapids; Keith (Phyllis) Brown, Wisconsin Rapids and their children, Stacey (Jeremiah) Marcus (Molly); Dawn (John) Sukala, Wisconsin Rapids, and their sons, Robert (Rebecca) Steckbauer; and Christopher Steckbauer; James Brown, Wisconsin Rapids; Candy Brown, Wisconsin Rapids, and her children, Jason, Nicole and Trevor; and Timothy (Roxanne) Brown, Wisconsin Rapids and their children Taylor, David and Ana. He is further survived by 10 great-grandchildren, Dawson, Emma, Maya, Allyson, Grady, Mason, Rafe, Logan, Joei and Airianna; two brothers, Donald, (Edie) Brown, Deming, N.M., and Terry (Diana) Brown, Clinton, Ind.; three sisters, Bonnie (Keith) Lamp, Mosinee, Etta Hebel, Wisconsin Rapids, and Lois Couture, Chicago. Robert was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Harold and Darby; Brown, and a sister, Gladys.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Robert's name to The Cancer Society.

The Higgins Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.

"It is what it is. I don't feel sorry for myself -- I lived a good life."