Robert Orvold Henry Witte

Monona - Robert Orvold Henry Witte, age 88, of Monona, passed away on Monday, July 14, 2025, at Heritage Monona. He was born on June 19, 1937, in Stoughton, WI, the son of Fred and Clara (Orvold) Witte and the brother of Phil Witte.

Robert graduated from Madison East High School with the class of 1955. He was a member of the school band and went on to organize class reunions in the years following graduation. He attended UW-Madison, where he was a member of the 1959 National Championship Crew Team. He played bass clarinet in the UW Marching Band, including at the 1960 Rose Bowl. He was a member of the Chi Psi fraternity and served in the U.S. Army ROTC program from 1956-1960, during this time he earned his pilot’s license. Robert graduated from UW-Madison with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Integrated Liberal Studies. After graduation, he and his college friends built a 30-foot sailboat from scratch that took almost two years to complete. Bob was also a Big Brother to a child for over 20 years through the Big Brothers-Big Sisters Dane County organization.  

On August 1, 1970, Robert married Katharine (Pobanz) Witte at First Congregational Church on a hot, summer’s day in Madison. They shared almost 55 years of marriage, and together raised their three children, Kara (Jack) Horiatis of Naperville, IL, Dave (Cristina) Witte of Monona and Andrew Witte of Madison. Their grandchildren, Daniela, Gabriela and Olivia Witte, Jackson Horiatis and Maximus Witte brought him happiness and pride. Over the years, Bob also loved his dogs: Irish Setters, Casey and Tim; Gordon Setters, Tucker and Brody; and Golden Doodle, Teddy.

Robert worked as a medical sales representative for Will Ross, Colonial Hospital Supply and Bergen Brunswick for over 35 years. After “semi-retiring,” he worked as a sales representative at Ahrens Cadillac, as well as for UW-Health delivering equipment to patients living at home throughout Dane County. Bob was also a majority owner and president of Fred H. Witte & Sons Farm in Cottage Grove, a family-owned dairy farm for almost 50 years, from its inception in 1970 until 2017. Bob was an active member of Lake Edge United Church of Christ, and a dedicated member of the church choir, including a barbershop quartet. He was a long-time board member of Cottage Grove State Bank and a member of the Elks Lodge.

Bob was a die-hard Badger fan including all sports, but especially football and men’s basketball. He loved attending Badger games and was honored as one of the top 100 longest UW football season ticket holders. In the summers, he loved spending time with family in Hayward, WI, at his cabins on Big Round Lake.  He was also a lover of Friday night fish fries, especially at the Avenue Bar, where he was always able to take home an extra piece of fish and a roll for the next day’s lunch. He was a huge fan of strawberry shortcake and all of wife Kathy’s desserts and sweets. His “hidden” cashew stash while watching endless baseball games on TV were a constant. Frosted cinnamon rolls from La Brioche were a favorite of his that provided him joy and a big smile throughout his life, especially in his final days. He enjoyed a good afternoon nap with his hand-held radio nearby as he listened to his favorite “Chapter a Day.” He was an avid reader of non-fiction, a longtime subscriber to The Capital Times and the Wisconsin State Journal, and he was an “unofficial personal shopper” for his family, always looking for clothes or shoes that they just might need.

However, nothing was more important to Bob than his family. He was able to create a work schedule to ensure that he would not miss any of his children’s practices and games. Watching his children, and then grandchildren, participate in sports and other activities brought him great joy. He was a participant in the Waisman Center Down syndrome Grandparent Network. He took pride in caring for his yard and home of 53 years that was filled full of wonderful events and memories.  Bob was truly a person who put family first. He was humble, but very accomplished, yet he took more pride in his family than in his own personal accomplishment. This is what made him who he was.

Robert is survived by his wife of 54 years, Katharine; sons, David (Cristina) Witte and Andrew Witte; daughter, Kara (Jack) Horiatis; grandchildren; as well as other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Phil.

A memorial service will be held at Gunderson East Funeral and Cremation Care, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, at 11 a.m. on Friday, September 19, 2025. A graveside service with military honors will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park, 401 Femrite Drive, Monona. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Thursday, September 18, 2025, and also from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Friday.
 

Memorials may be made to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Dane County or a charity of your choice in Bob Witte’s name. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608) 221-5420