Robert Paul Bartholomew

Robert Paul Bartholomew

May 01, 1940 - September 14, 2025

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Obituary

MIDDLETON - Robert P. Bartholomew, age 85, peacefully passed away on Sunday, September 14, 2025, at Brookdale Century Assisted Living. He was born on May 1, 1940, in South Bend, Ind., the son of the late Paul and Mary “Agnes” (Carey) Bartholomew.


After graduating in 1958 from South Bend High School, he attended and earned degrees from the University of Notre Dame and Michigan State University. In 1965, Robert married Rhoda Goldberg in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart at the University of Notre Dame. She preceded him in death in 2019.


During his career, Robert was a Professor at Northern Illinois University, Cornell University (Ithaca, N.Y.) and the University of Wisconsin-Madison, until retiring in 1996. He was deeply devoted to his students, many who remained lifelong friends. During his life, Robert enjoyed sailing, Notre Dame football, his “stepchildren” (an untold number of cats), and traveling the country by train.


Robert is survived by his sons, Patrick Bartholomew and Daniel P. (Michelle) Bartholomew; two granddaughters; and five great-grandchildren.


Private family services will be held at a later date.
 

As Robert was a passionate supporter of the Dane County Humane Society, memorials in his honor may be made to the Dane County Humane Society. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson West
Funeral & Cremation Care
7435 University Ave.
(608) 831-6761



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AB
A Memorial Tree was planted for Robert P. Bartholomew
Other •
We are deeply sorry for your loss ~ Gunderson Funeral Home - Middleton
CH
Cathy Holmes
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Your father was such a kind man! A donation to DCHS has been made in his honor. With sympathy, Cathy Holmes
JK
Jack Kellbach
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Professor Bartholomew was one of the best teachers I ever had. He demanded your best. I still might have the boards that that I did in his color class where we had to mix gouache, carefully paint on special paper and cut precisely sized rectangles with an x-acto knife that were then glued with rubber cement onto illustration board. On at least one, there was a minuscule ball of rubber cement which he circled and it cost me on the grading scale for that exercise. He was a stickler who tried to instill a sense of professionalism in his students. I was lucky to have had him as a teacher.
DD
Debbie Draudt
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We are so sorry for your loss. Bob was my professor, mentor, and lifelong friend. As his TA, I would get a joke or two every day! I loved meeting your parents for brunch, laughing at Bob’s jokes & your mom’s life stories! Even after moving to Denver, we would talk every few months & meet for lunch when I was in Madison. He was kind, funny, creative & brilliant & I will miss him ❤️❤️❤️
GW
Gerry Wajda
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I am saddened to find out of his passing. in fact, I just found out a few minutes ago when I googled him to try to find his phone # as i hadn’t heard from him at Christmas time, We also traded Christmas Cards and he encouraged me every year that life was short and to pursue my dreams. He gave wise advise and he always commented on my cards and said I should sell them. i’ve known Bob since NIU in 1975. My final year at NIU, I was supposed to have Professor Bartholomew for at least 2 if not 3 classes) after having him for one class the previous semester. I was so excited. Then Bob accepted the position at University of Madison, so I didn’t get that gift. But he did ask me after I finished at NIU to be his grad assistant. I can only imagine how my life would have been different if i took that path. i’m just happy to have Bob (with a bah hum bug attitude) in my life. He is missed.

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