Robert "Rob" Davidson

Rob, we didn’t have the chance to spend a lot of time together, but you made my mom really happy and the way you cared for my niece and nephew, it was easy for anyone to see what a great man you were. You will be missed. Rest peacefully.

Tribute to Rob Davidson My first recollection of Rob was soon after we moved to Waunona Way in 1962. He was among the first friends I made in the neighborhood. He and Karl Dietmeyer would come to our house to play football in the backyard. Rob and I were in the same kindergarten class, we would sometimes get in trouble for being boys, doing odd things. Rob’s house was a fun place to play, they had a huge yard on the lake, we learned to swim, sail, and other small boat skills under Rob’s mom’s instruction. Over many years a lot of living was done there. We also learned how to be a community, everyone pitched in to maintain the shoreline. Sea weed fights were a part of the hours of cleaning up the lake vegetation. This carried over to other neighbors’ properties. We grew up being parented by whosever house you were at. Rob was one of my mom’s favorite kids from the neighborhood, that carried over into adulthood, he was always welcome to drop in at her house even if Mitch or I weren’t there. Rob and I were in the same grade up until his family spent a year in Scotland, then he was in Karl’s grade for the rest of his K-12 career. Boy Scouts and skiing were other activities we shared. Rob and I enjoyed pushing the limits during our skiing. There were times when Rob would carry me on his shoulders as we skied down the hill. He and I also jumped off the chairlifts for the fun of it. Once in the UP Rob was on the chairlift with me and had brought a giant snowball with him on the lift. When we got to the high point of the ride, he dropped the snowball and it made a big hole where it landed. Rob was with me when I broke my leg skiing at Cascade Mt. in Portage, in fact went to get the Ski Patrol to stabilize my leg before I was taken to the hospital. His stories about his family’s trips to Colorado made me want to go there, but I never did. Hockey on the lake was a neighborhood thing, team work to clear the ice and build goals was a part of that. When we were in high school, Rob and several other neighborhood friends played hockey on the 4 Lakes league. It was a lower-level team, but we all enjoyed playing in organized hockey and wearing protective gear, which was crude by todays standards. As adults, Rob and I were in each other’s weddings, I made a great Best Man’s speech at his first wedding. Rob on the morning of my wedding grabbed me out of the shower as I prepared for the wedding and threw me naked into the swimming pool at the hotel, it just happens that everyone from the neighborhood was in there so that was embarrassing. Since I moved out of state for much of my career, I was not able to keep up with Rob as much but would still run into him in Madison or at other times friends from the neighborhood got together. Rob was a loyal friend who you could count on if you needed anything. I will miss him.

Our relationship was brief, yet you left an impression on me. What struck me about you was your love for the things you did in life, your relationship with your wife, and your work. It was interesting to hear about your experiences as a band manager for all of those rock and roll legends. You mentioned how proud you were of Chris's achievements while in the service, and how you couldn't wait to have her back to enjoy the cabin you built for yourselves . It increased my respect for you. I knew you as a service manager, and you were so enthusiastic about taking that responsibility on. You gave it your absolute all until your illness derailed you. I will remember you fondly.God bless you, and may you rest in peace.

I am sitting in the room where you spent your final days. It is calm and and peaceful. It all started with a random meeting in a local bar in Scahumburg, IL 20 years ago. You were with a Metallica tribute band and I was the server. We became instant family. We bonded over music, football (Go Bears, haha), the love of summer, and the beach. I moved to FL 2 years after meeting you. We stayed in contact for since we met. You would come down for Bike Week and just to relax. You were like a brother to my Dad. My husband adored you. Visits to WI were never in the winter lol. We enjoyed motorcycle rides, great dinners, and of course, music, and the sand. So many memories, sunshine, laughter and love. You will be missed more than you will ever know. Thank you for being you, sharing your life with me, and being a huge part of mine. Love you always Papa Bear. Until the next sunset. Anna

Rob always wanted to make sure everyone was having a good time. You took my kids on awesome adventures, excited to share skiing with Wesley and take us through the locks on the lake in Madison. My Mom has always been a giver and it was great to see how much you wanted to take care of her, especially with excess sweets and "just because" flowers. May you Rest in Peace.

Sorry to hear about Rob’s passing. Rob and I sailed together on Lake Minnetonka. He was a great guy.