Robert Maurice Edwards

MADISON – Robert Maurice Edwards, age 96, passed away on Friday, March 4, 2016, surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Madison on Sept. 24, 1919, the son of the late Maurice and Gaea (Monson) Edwards. Bob grew up on Lake Monona, spending summers at the family cottage and boys' camp on Lake Kegonsa. He became a child of God through Holy Baptism at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in Madison on Nov. 9, 1919. Bob later reconfirmed his faith by Rite of Confirmation on June 3, 1934. He graduated from Madison East High School in 1937 and then attended the UW-Madison and graduated from Madison Business College. Bob enlisted in the Army Air Corps in August of 1941. After Pearl Harbor, Bob was sent to Alaska and the Aleutian Islands. He spent the next four years there and at various bases in the states, ending as 1st Sgt. of the 11th Fighter Squadron. Bob was united in marriage to Charlotte Grace Kittleson on April 3, 1943, at Burke Lutheran Church. He worked at Reitan-Lerdahl Insurance Company in Madison for many years. Bob was a lifelong member of Our Saviour's Lutheran Church, serving in many capacities. He enjoyed playing cribbage, fishing, gardening, stamp and coin collecting, and traveling, especially to Norway, Israel and Uruguay. With anticipated heavenly reunion, Bob leaves behind his devoted wife, Charlotte Edwards of McFarland; son, Ron Edwards of Madison; daughters, Cheryl (Don) Heiliger of McFarland and Gayl (Allan) Johnson of Rothschild. He is also survived by six grandchildren, Ron (Crystal) Edwards, Chris Edwards, Don (Shannon) Heiliger Jr., Dan (fiancé, Tarah) Heiliger, Dave (Christina) Heiliger, and Beth (Mark) Edwards; six great-grandchildren; and many other family and friends. Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Maurice and Gaea Edwards; brother, Don (Lois) Edwards; nephew, Mark; and brother-in-law, Irving (Rebecca) Kittleson. Funeral services will be held at OUR SAVIOUR'S LUTHERAN CHURCH, 1201 Droster Rd., Madison, at 11 a.m., on Monday, March 7, 2016. Visitation will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, from 3 p.m. until 5 p.m., on Sunday, March 6, 2016, and at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Monday. If desired, memorials may be given to Our Saviour's Lutheran Church or The Bob and Charlotte Edwards Scholarship at Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato, Minn. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Care 5203 Monona Drive (608)221-5420