Robert Earl Barth

MADISON - Robert Earl “Bob” Barth, age 94, passed away on Monday, Dec. 25, 2023, just two days shy of his 95th birthday. He was born on Dec. 27, 1928, to Mathilda (Jacobs) and Earl Barth. The youngest of eight children, Bob grew up in Madison, Wis., along the Yahara River. His first job, at age 11, was at the nearby Tenney Park locks for a dollar a day, renting boats and selling bait. He also smoked fish he caught and sold three for a quarter. Two years later, he went to work at Bordon Dairy, washing bottles and at 15 moved up to delivering milk. His deliveries later allowed him to champion the fastest (if not the most straightforward) route to any location in Madison.

As a 1946 graduate of Madison East High School, Bob immediately joined the U.S. Army’s 1st Cavalry Division and served in Japan as part of the army of occupation. While he often said he spent most of his service playing basketball, he was proud to have served, and spoke of it often. Upon his return to Madison, he enrolled in the University of Wisconsin and graduated with a degree in accounting and finance. After graduating he moved to Waukesha, Wis., as an accountant for 3M.

In the fall of 1951, Bob was introduced to Marilyn Nyeggen, a kindergarten teacher at Shorewood Elementary School. He asked her out twice, but was rebuffed. He gave one final try, and after a whirlwind courtship they married in June. In 1955 they returned to Madison, where Bob became Controller-Treasurer of Mautz Paint Company. His final career move was in 1967 to the Wisconsin Cheeseman in Sun Prairie, where he became president a year later. He retired after 20 years with the company.

After retirement Bob served on the Boards of Directors of United Bank, McKay Nursery, Family Service, Methodist Hospital and for 18 years at Meriter Health Services. His final two years at Meriter were as Chairman of the Board.

Bob and Marilyn had three children, Christine, Stephen and Maryellen. Tragically, his beloved Marilyn died in 1969. In May of 1972 he married his second great love, Nancy Hilfiker, a widow with two children, Lisa and Heidi. Their combined brood of five, Christi, Steve, Lisa, Maryellen and Heidi, moved into a home on beautiful Lake Monona. It was here that Nancy and Bob shared their love of a good time with family and friends. They hosted lavish parties, most often with their treasured Gourmet Club. Bob was also an avid golfer, and played weekly for low-stakes as a member of the Maple Bluff Country Club. After retiring, Bob and Nancy spent the winters in Bonita Beach, Fla., where they continued to golf and fight over the crossword.

Bob joined Nancy at the First United Methodist Church, where she and Bob organized and led 12 mission trips for Volunteers in Mission of the UMC. These trips combined with their recreational trips took them to over 38 countries around the world.

Bob loved nothing more than trading stories with a person who “had something to say.” Tales from his childhood often seemed made for the movies. They were full of encounters with hobos in railyards, listening to “The Shadow” radio program, playing hockey in Tenney Park using magazines as shin guards and train rides to the World’s Fair. He loved black licorice, sang off-key and was an excellent fisherman and sailor. A Madisonian from the top of his head to the soles of his feet, he turned down opportunities to work in other states. He enjoyed being surrounded by people he knew and loved, and it seemed you couldn’t go a block without him pointing out a place where a friend lived or worked. He was also a fierce fan of the Badgers. After giving up his season football tickets, he found the games too stressful to watch on TV, so he would record them and only watch after he knew the score.

Above all, Bob loved his family and the time spent with them. Bob is survived by three daughters, Christi Barth, Lisa Mensink (Mike Klinzing) and Heidi (Darren) Engbring; 11 grandchildren, Cori Steinnagel, Katie (Chris) Stutz, Emily (Dan) Barmantje, Laurel (Kevin) Strauss, Aaron Barth, Hannah (Brian) Harrigan, Emma Hoffman Barth, Laura Mensink, Leo Mensink, Nora Engbring and Elliott Engbring; and 10 great-grandchildren, Natalie Strauss, Luke Strauss, Anneliese Barth, Kingsley Barth, Owen Barmantje, Carter Barmantje, Ayla Stutz, Cole Stutz, Ariyanna Barth and Olive Rose Harrigan; He was preceded in death by his first wife, Marilyn Barth; second wife, Nancy Barth; and children, Stephen Barth and Maryellen Barth.

A memorial service will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024, with the Rev. Nancy Childress officiating. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Saturday.

A heartfelt thank you to Bob’s teams at Agrace HospiceCare and Talamore Senior Living. Your compassion and care helped make a challenging time easier.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Tellurian, a charity dear to Bob’s heart at https://www.tellurian.org.  Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care

5203 Monona Drive

(608) 221-5420