Robert John Offerdahl

Lifted by the love of his children, Robert J. (Bobby) Offerdahl ascended high above the fall-colored trees, beyond the sun and stars as he soared toward the heavens and his Lord. He was born on August 18, 1957 and spent most of his childhood as boomer children did, swimming, riding bikes, paddling rivers, ice skating and playing kick the can with neighborhood friends in Stoughton where he would later graduate from high school in 1975. He went on to the University of WI Madison where he pursued a degree in engineering before moving to the Evansville and Janesville areas.    Bobby was a talented writer and observed the world through a poet’s lens. His children enjoyed his perspective and razor-sharp intellect, his humor and his patient and full attention whenever they desired it. He was a steady voice in times of disquiet and his love provided them with a resilient net of safety and love to come home to and rest in, beyond all judgements and conditions. He was open and fun-loving, passionate about thinking and problem solving, and unintentionally and effortlessly happy. His children will always treasure the memories of camping trips, of races across the lake and chasing fireflies at dusk. His life was enriched by old friends and new, by gardening, by preparing delicious meals for his family and through his faith in God. Bobby’s legacy lives on through his daughters, Emily (Hector) Valdivia and Taylor (Nick) Offerdahl, and his son, Ian Offerdahl. He is survived by his brothers, Roger (Jill) Offerdahl and Robin (Nubia) Offerdahl, his sisters Sheryl (Jim) Olson and Lori (Bruce) Kean, and his granddaughter Ava Quetzali Valdivia. Bobby greatly impacted the lives of many young people including a daughter gifted to him, Kaylynn Yttri, and beloved nieces and nephews, Kent, Max, Sophie, Andrea and Erica. His father Robert P. Offerdahl surely was eager to greet him in heaven with a joke or two, and his mother Dorothy (Quiner) Offerdahl welcomed the son his siblings would attest, was her “favorite.“ Like a single coin In a wishing well We remember you A celebration of Bobby’s life will be held at Faith Community Church in Janesville on Thursday, November 2nd with a visitation at 3:00 pm, and a service at 4:00 pm, followed by a luncheon. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.