Robert M. Kohn

MIDDLETON - Robert Martin “Bob” Kohn, 66, passed away unexpectedly in his sleep from natural causes on Thursday, March 23, 2023, in Middleton, Wis.

Bob was the firstborn of the late Albert and Frances Kohn, arriving on March 1, 1957. Always a curious learner, he enjoyed school, reading, and dabbling in electronics from an early age, building radios in his workshop in the basement. He graduated from Stevens Point Area Senior High in 1975 and went on to earn a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the Milwaukee School of Engineering.

On Feb. 27, 1981, Bob married Jenifer Toser. The two enjoyed travel, attending music and renaissance festivals, and finding good restaurants for many years before Jenifer passed away in 2001. Bob started his engineering career at Nestle Chocolate in Burlington, Wis., then worked for IBM in Rochester, Minn., for two decades before taking an early retirement.

In retirement, Bob pursued his love of learning and problem solving with projects related to renewable energy. He moved to the Madison area in 2005 where he met longtime girlfriend, Ling Pao. Bob and Ling enjoyed nature walks and gardening together. He appreciated mid-century architecture and the work of Frank Lloyd Wright, and he also enjoyed listening to baseball games on the radio. His other passions included reading, working on and sharing about his various projects, listening to jazz music, a good cup of coffee, and deep conversations.

Long after his wife’s death, he maintained a close relationship with his mother-in-law, Bernie Toser, until her death, and he often referred to her as a “second mother.” He stayed in touch with lifelong friends, coworkers, and many of his Grimmer relatives, especially his cousin, Tom Knuth. He will be remembered as a lifelong student, and for both his compassion and great sense of humor.

Besides his parents and wife, Bob was preceded in death by his brother, Jim Kohn; as well as Ling Pao. He is survived by his brother, Tom (Rachel) Kohn; and sisters Diane Kohn, Mary Kohn, Patricia Benoit, Amy (Ken) Barhite and Margaret Bluma; as well as ten nieces and nephews, Nic, Casey, Luke, Jamie, Chris, Justin, Andy, Max, Kyle, and Amanda; several uncles and aunts; and Ling’s sons, Steven and Peter.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. THOMAS AQUINAS CATHOLIC CHURCH, 602 Everglade Drive, Madison, at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, April 4, 2023. A visitation will be held at the church from 10:30 a.m. until the time of the Mass on Tuesday. He will be interred alongside Jenifer and his parents at Restlawn Memorial Park in Wisconsin Rapids at a later date.

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson West

Funeral & Cremation Care

7435 University Ave.

(608) 831-6761