Robert R Gersbach
November 17, 1941 - November 07, 2024
Obituary
MADISON - Robert Gersbach, age 82, passed away on Thursday, November 7, 2024, 10 days before his 83rd birthday. He was born on November 17, 1941, in Madison, the son of William Reinhard and Rose Susan (Stumpf) Gersbach.
He grew up on the eastside of Madison and graduated from Madison East High School. There, he won the city championship as a softball pitcher with his little brother, Dave. Later, while attending UW-Madison, Bob was a lab assistant for Nobel Prize winner, Eugene Wigner. He then graduated with a Bachelor of Science specializing in physics and chemistry. Bob’s first position was working overseas in refineries in Romania, Sicily, Hungary and Yugoslavia.
Upon his return to Minnesota and Wisconsin, he worked in real estate and was always the philanthropist. He donated his time and money to these causes through the years, UW Cardiology, Rawhide Boys Ranch, MS Society, Polio, Fishing Has No Boundaries, Shriners, Wisconsin Lions Foundation, Boys Club of Wisconsin and Girl Scouts of America, to name a few.
He lost his sister, Sandy, at a young age and recently lost his older brother, Jim. Their childhood together was a loving one. They all looked out for each other and always protected their baby sister. Bob beat all odds by living through an early onset of polio. Struggling with polio was not an easy feat, but he managed it well.
He loved nature walks, bird watching, identifying different types of trees, plants and foliage. Bob was adventurous when it came to fishing at his lake house in Hayward, Wis., and his many fishing trips to Dave’s island in Canada. Robert also enjoyed playing euchre with Dave at the VFW. We all enjoyed talking Packers, Wisconsin sports, his worldly travels and his vast knowledge of everything. He will be truly missed by all who knew him.
A celebration of life for Bob will be held at the VFW POST 7591, 301 Cottage Grove Rd., Madison from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, December 1, 2024. We look forward to raising a glass and remembering great stories of Bob.
Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608) 221-5420