Robert "Bob" L. Eggleston

Robert “Bob” L. Eggleston, age 91 of Marion passed away at his home surrounded by his loving family on Tuesday evening September 19, 2023.

Robert Lloyd Eggleston was born on February 1, 1932 in Clintonville, the son of the late Lloyd and Hildegarde (Gehrt) Eggleston. He was baptized February 23, 1932 and confirmed on May 20, 1945 at Christus Lutheran Church, Clintonville. He was raised in Clintonville where he graduated from Clintonville High School on June 1, 1949. After graduation, Robert worked in the men’s clothing department at the Clintonville Mercantile Company until he was drafted into the U.S. Marines in March of 1952. During his tour, he was involved with aviation supply for an aircraft engineering squadron and earned the rank of corporal before his discharge in 1954. Upon his return to Clintonville, he returned to his previous job at the Clintonville Mercantile Co. until December, 1955. In January, 1956 he enrolled in the University of Wisconsin-Stout in Menomonie, Wis. where he received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Industrial Education in May, 1959 and later a Master of Science Degree in August, 1962. While at Stout he was a member of the varsity golf team and served as the student golf coach. He received the “Stout” Medallion for Outstanding Service to the College in May, 1959.  On June 16, 1956, he became united in marriage to Theadale “Teddy” Meyer at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Waltham, Minn. and lived in Menomonie, Wis. until his graduation. In August, 1959, he accepted a teaching position at the Marion High School in Marion, Wis. in Industrial Education until his retirement after thirty-one years of service. He started the Industrial Education program with only four bare walls, which grew into a four man department and an “on the job” training program which was the construction of eight “turn key” 3-bedroom homes. In 1961, Marion High School, under his supervision, became an “off campus” teaching station for fifty student teachers from University of Wisconsin-Stout. During this period of time, he was a guest speaker to the “on campus” student teacher classes a number of times. In 1964 he was selected to a team of ten teachers from the State of Wisconsin to take part in researching “A Conceptual Approach to the Study of American Industry” at Stout. He received the “Dean’s Award” from Stout for contributions to technology in 1986 and the “Recognition of Excellence Award”, sponsored by the Hillshire Farm Company, for outstanding contributions in teaching in 1987. He was a local coordinator and instructor for adult evening classes for Fox Valley Technical College for thirty-five years. He also taught Driver Education for a number of years. After retirement, he became self-employed in construction and was a co-manager of the Hillside Manor Apartments from 1995 to 1999. Robert was a member of the American Legion Post 198 and a past member of the Marion Rotary, where he served as president twice and received the Paul Harris Award. He loved to play golf and was a member of the Clintonville Riverside Golf Club and Perry’s Landing Golf Club (now J & B Clover Greens Golf Course) in Marion. He won the club championship at the Clintonville Riverside Golf Club in 1955 and 1956. He was a member of the Clintonville Curling Club for a period of time. He served as alderman for the first ward on the Marion City Council for twenty-six years, a member and a director on the Marion Economic Development Corporation, and served as an alternate on the Waupaca County Economic Development Corporation, a member of the Marion Utility Board. He was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Marion for 48 years, where he was involved as a usher, choir, church council, and a member of the building task force. In 2007, he became a member of the Christus Lutheran Church in Clintonville where he was involved as a usher, member of the property committee, church camp, and the Brotherhood. Robert enjoyed playing golf, carpentry and woodworking, and his grandchildren. 

Survivors include his 3 daughters, Tamara (Gary) Albrecht, Valarie Eggleston, Raquel (Keith) Michel; 4 grandchildren, Matthew Albrecht, Elyse (Jason) Jadczak, Joshua Michel, Lily Michel; 2 great-grandchildren Jackson and Lincoln Jadczak; a sister Joanne Rassmussen; 2 brothers William (Virginia) Eggleston and Richard (Susan) Eggleston; sisters-in-law Carol & Carolyn Meyer, and many nieces and nephews.

Robert was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Theadale “Teddy”, his parents, a sister Phyllis, 3 brothers James, Howard, and Donald, 4 brothers-in-law Robert Meyer, Arnold Meyer, James Meyer, and Vernon Mueller, 5 sisters-in-law Mary Eggleston, Donna Eggleston, Janet Eggleston, Florence Meyer, and Irma Mueller, and his mother-in-law and father-in-law Eleanora and Arnold Meyer.

Robert’s memorial service will be held Friday September 29, 2023 at 11am at Christus Lutheran Church in Clintonville with Rev. Shelly Klemp officiating. Inurnment will be at Greenleaf Cemetery in Marion. Visitation will be held at the church on Friday from 9am until the time of service. Military honors will be conducted outside of the church following the service by members of the American Legion Post 198 of Marion. The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to the ThedaCare Medical Team, hospice staff, Rev. Crocker and Rev. Klemp, and dear neighbors who provided care, support, and genuine love for Bob through the years. In lieu of flowers the Eggleston family would appreciate his memory be honored by donations to the Christus Lutheran Church. The Eberhardt-Stevenson Funeral Home & Crematory of Clintonville is assisting his family. www.eberhardtstevenson.com