Robert Frederick Marschke

MADISON/MIDDLETON-Robert F. Marschke died July 24, 2011. Robert “Bob” was born October 16, 1923 in Indianapolis, Indiana to Frederick W. and Elizabeth H. Marschke. Bob grew up in Indianapolis, attending Shortridge High School. He loved spending time at his family’s summer home on a lake near Greenfield, Indiana. As a Boy Scout, he worked hard to achieve his Eagle Scout award. He attended Purdue University until he was drafted into Patton’s Third Army Eleventh Armored Division in the European Theater. Extremely proud of his time served in the army, he took part in the Battle of the Bulge, helped liberate Mauthausen Concentration Camp, and commanded facilities for displaced refugees after the war. Returning to Purdue he met his wife, Phyl and they married on August 30, 1947. Ultimately he finished his degree at Butler University in Indianapolis, and worked for the family business W.A. Marschke and Sons for a number of years while studying evenings for his CPA. In 1968, Bob, Phyllis and their family moved to Madison. First working for Trachte Metal Buildings, he later bought and managed Wolff Kubly with his partner Art Morey. Bob’s other business ventures included: an American Handicrafts franchise, the first antiques mall in Madison, and several mini-warehouse complexes. He was active in the family businesses until the day before he died. He loved reading books, the news, and checking the stock market on his iPad. A good day for Bob was a day the market was up. Bob was married to his best friend for 62 years. He died of a broken heart less than a year after Phyllis’s death. Bob is survived by his six children: Robert Marschke of Fort Collins, Colorado, Elizabeth Boyarski of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Georgia Chirieleison of Vienna, Virginia, James Marschke of Morgan Hills, California and Sarah Vovos and Jon Marschke of Middleton, Wisconsin. He is also survived by eight grandchildren, and two great grandchildren. A special thanks to Dr. Sheng-Jing Dong, Dr. Jay Couser, Dr. Jeff Wood and the staff at Attic Angel Place. There will be a private service for the immediate family. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to a charity of your choice. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to a charity of your choice. There will be a private service for the immediate family.