A. Robert Bob" Kilgust

Photo/Flag Kilgust, A. Robert "Bob" MADISON A. Robert "Bob" Kilgust left this world on Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2009, to be with Peg, the love of his life for 64 years. Bob was born in Madison on June 17, 1918, the son of Alfred and Esther (Kalbfleisch) Kilgust. He graduated from East High School and attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In 1941, he married Margaret "Peg" Russell. At the start of World War II, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy where he served in the ship repair unit in San Diego and later in the South Pacific. After the war, Bob returned to his sheet metal business and he and Peg built a home in Monona where they lived for 35 years and where they raised their family. From 1963 to 1967, he served as village president of Monona. During that time, he changed the climate of Monona forever. Beginning with Winnequah Park which he worked to convert from the village trash site to the beautiful park it is today. The community center, swimming pool, library and post office all carry his thumb print. In 1965, he began the process of changing Monona from village status to city status and thus became the "last village president". In 1979, Bob retired from Kilgust Mechanical, the company he had owned and operated for 40 years. His retirement years were spent in Englewood, Fla. where he and Peg enjoyed traveling, spending time with friends and always enjoying his favorite passion, fishing. Whether in his back yard on Lake Monona, on the Gulf of Mexico or on his beloved island in Canada, he was happiest with a fishing pole in hand. No one can dispute his claim, "worlds greatest fisherman". Bob was a member of Gyro, the Elks Club, Mechanical Contractors Association and a life-long member of St. Johns Lutheran Church in Madison. He is survived by his children, Sharon (Jerry) Scallon of Madison, Robert G. Kilgust of Madison and Richard (Mary Lynn) Kilgust of Dallas, Texas; nine grandchildren, Erin (Jim) Radle and Mike Mount, Karen (Steve Dwyer) and Brian Scallon, Ben, Maggie, Andrew, Peter and Jack Kilgust; and two great-grandsons, Benjamen Radle and Logan Dwyer. Memorial services will be held at ST. JOHNS LUTHERAN CHURCH, 322 E. Washington Ave., Madison, on Monday, Nov. 23, 2009, at 11 a.m. Friends may visit at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of service. Military rites will be performed at Roselawn Memorial Park Mausoleum following the services. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Oakwood, Hospice or to St. Johns Lutheran Church, Madison. The family wishes to extend a special thank you to the staff at Oakwood and to Hospice for their loving and compassionate care. We will miss you Dad and Grandpa but we know you are in a much better place and, hopefully, fishing again. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Oakwood, Hospice or to St. Johns Lutheran Church, Madison. Cemetery: Military rites will be performed at Roselawn Memorial Park Mausoleum following the services. Visitation: Friends may visit at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of service. Service: Memorial services will be held at ST. JOHNS LUTHERAN CHURCH, 322 E. Washington Ave., Madison, on Monday, Nov. 23, 2009, at 11 a.m.