Robert Johnstone Cunningham
August 28, 1930 - June 22, 2019
Obituary
OREGON-Robert Johnstone “Bob” Cunningham, age 88, of Oregon, Wis., passed away on Saturday, June 22, 2019, surrounded by his family. He was born on Aug. 28, 1930, in Elmhurst, Ill. to William and Elsie Cunningham, the youngest of their 11 children.
Bob served in the U.S. Air Force in the Korean War and was awarded four Bronze Stars for heroic and meritorious actions in a combat zone. He returned to complete his B.A. at Valparaiso University where he met and married Marlene Beyer on June 18, 1956. Bob played varsity football at Valpo - both ways - and afterwards played semi-professionally with the Elmhurst Travelers. Famously, for one game he played with his brothers Cal, Chuck, Sherm and Doug. He went on to teach school and coach in the Chicago suburbs until he became a PGA golf professional in the early 1970s. In 1975, he and his family moved to Florence, Wis. where he designed, built and managed the only golf course in the county. Bob "retired" to Oregon and shortly thereafter opened Bucky Badger Golfland.
Bob is survived by his son, Robert (Mary); daughters, Jean Clack and Janet Rago (Dan); grandchildren, Meredith, Danielle, Kevin, Calvin, Ian, Megan, and Ryan; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Marlene; son, Alec; son-in-law, Bob Clack; and his ten brothers and sisters.
A private memorial service will be held. Bob lived life his way. It was a good run. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com
Gunderson Oregon
Funeral & Cremation Care
1150 Park Street
(608) 835-3515
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Memories
CH
Carol Holt
Other •
So very sorry to hear about Bob 's passing. We will miss him. Our sympathy to all of the family.
Carol and Ron Holt
JM
jenny mathison
Other •
Rest well Bob. We were his next door neighbors for several years while he lived in Cherokee. We miss him. Deepest sympathies to his family.
Jenny and Marty Mathison
CD
Chris Duerk
Other •
So very sorry to hear this news. Coach was my JV football coach in Oregon 20-some years ago. He was always good to me as a friend and I ended up doing odd jobs for him around Bucky Badger Golf Land. As I made my way through high school and college and into my adult life coach always kept tabs on me. Reading his obituary, I had no idea how successful he was and all he had done in his life up till then......Other than repeatedly telling us that his claim to fame was playing next to Fuzzy Thurston in college! Rest In Peace coach and thank you for being a great coach, father figure and friend.
WN
William Newton
Other •
I have great memories of Mr. Cunningham designing and building his golf course in Florence County (Spread Eagle), WI. My father and I played some of the first rounds of golf there with him. I remember him showing me his "dynamite" pills which he took to prevent heart attacks. He seemed to have so much fun laying out the course, and we enjoyed his company.