June 5, 2023 at 11:46 a.m.
Robert "Bob" J. Lake
Robert "Bob" J. Lake
Bob was born Feb. 6, 1939, the eldest son of Phillip A. Lake and Margaret I. (Jennings), in Edgerton. After graduating from Poynette High School in 1957, Bob signed up with the Army of the U.S. and was honorably discharged in 1965.
Moving to California, Bob worked as a supervisor at Lockheed Aircraft Corp. He and a friend created a worm farm and he also independently sold Mac Tools. In 1976, Bob and his family moved back to Wisconsin to become owners of the Academy Lodge - a safe haven for veterans primarily with AODA and mental illness. Bob married Sandra "Sandy" J. (Kasmarek) Roberts on Nov. 20, 1987 and they relocated to Adams County. Bob created his final business before retirement, The Upper Chamber, Inc., where he was a representative for veterans and others providing court-ordered guardianships.
Bob's life was not just represented by the jobs he held, he had an inquisitive mind, a vast ability to problem solve - mentally and physically, and he was quite the hands-on creator of many new and/or improved inventions. One of his first projects as a child was a miniature railroad set and that love for the railroad never left him. This may have influenced him as he had to take the train by himself from Elkhart Lake to Milwaukee and back for doctor appointments to treat his poor eyesight as a young child. As an adult, he became a member of the Rhinelander Railroad Association and volunteered with the railroad museum. Lockheed became one of the driving forces for his interest in flight. Get Bob talking about aircraft, space travel, or the development of ideas to improve flight and there was never enough time in the day. Over the past several years, he continued to work on a flight improvement project that challenged him right up until his passing (check out the Bionic Swifts). He complained that "I have work to do!" as his caregiver tried to keep him on schedule with his medications the week before he passed. Bob enjoyed good discussions with many of his friends and family. Many were invited to participate, laugh, tell jokes, listen well, enjoy a good yarn, or just chew on some thought or a recently read good book.
Bob loved music, listening, playing, singing, of any form. He taught himself to play the accordion by ear when he was in high school. Continuing to always listen to good music, he also taught himself on other instruments, guitar, harmonica, mouth harp, and ukulele. Over the past two years, he began learning the piano (to limber up his hands that were stiff and numb from cancer treatments).
Bob was a member of the American Legion, the NRA, and a member of the International Association of Turtles and was a secret member of Santa's Helpers. Bob was the recipient of several awards including the Distinguished Service in the U.S. Army awarded by the American Legion and the 10-Year Service Award from Lockheed Aircraft.
Bob is survived by the mother of his children, Delores (Prucha) Lake, Rio; his daughter, Dawn (Jon) Longfield, Beaver Dam; his sisters, Lou Ann Hanrahan, West Bend, and Marjie (Ray) Butler, North Bend, Wash.; his grandchildren, Ryan Lake, Columbus; Ashley Lake, Beaver Dam; John Jr. Longfield; and Jimmy Mac; his great-grandchildren Joel Haberman, Beaver Dam, and Johnny Rico Longfield, in addition to other relatives and friends. Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Phillip A. Lake, 1986, and Margaret I. (Jennings) 1986; his brothers, Guy Lake and Ray Lake, 2020; his wife, Sandra "Sandy" (Kasmarek) Lake, June 24, 2019; his daughters, Crystal Lake, 1963; Rocky G. Lake, 2020; his stepdaughter, Margaret Roberts, 2018; and his granddaughter, Alisha (Shane) Lake, May 9, 2021.
A celebration of life will take place on August 5, 2023, at Pflanz Mantey Mendrala Funeral Home in Poynette, visitation at 3 p.m., Celebration of Life at 4 p.m., and burial of cremains at 5 p.m. at Hillside Cemetery in Poynette.
Generations Funeral Home & Crematory is assisting the family.
You may view Bob's obituary and leave online condolences at generationsfuneral.com.
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