Frank Joseph "FJ" Roub was born to Joseph "Doc" and Gertrude Roub on September 2, 1922. He graduated from Monroe High School in 1940, then spent the next few years pursuing a music degree from Oberlin College before performing military service at stateside locations toward the end of World War II.
After the War, FJ finished school at Northwestern University, earning a Bachelor's Degree in Music in 1946 and a Masters of Music in 1948. He then joined the NATO post war effort in Greenland known as Operation Blue Jay, helping to establish Thule Air Base as part of the NATO strategic security effort while earning good money for travel and establishing the next chapter of his life.
Returning to the US in the early 50's, FJ traveled West, landing in San Francisco where he began his career as an educator, teaching 3rd Graders at Patrick Henry school - to include a young OJ Simpson. After three years of guiding and corralling third graders in San Francisco, FJ opted for a change of scenery. He moved to Germany, where he taught children of US Service Members in Stuttgart and other US Military locations in Germany.
FJ made his way back to the upper Midwest in the early 1960's, where he shifted his role as an educator to administration, and to his lifelong passion - music. He spent a short time at Northwestern before landing a position at the University of Wisconsin-Madison as the administrative assistant to the school of music and accompanist for countless student concerts and recitals. He retired from the university in 1987.
Throughout his life, FJ served as a selfless source of strength and understanding. He was a good listener, compassionate, generous, and always at the ready with a good, dry one liner. He was a close confidant to his brothers, William "Bill", and Gail. He served as an anchor for his family in Wisconsin - moving his mother into his house with him on Lake Kegonsa after the death of his father, and providing a secondary family setting for Gail's five children. His nieces and nephews will forever cherish the time spent with Uncle FJ and Grandma Gert at the house on Lake Kegonsa.
FJ was an active member of PFLAG and volunteered for the Madison Aids Support Network (MASN) to provide care and friendship for AIDS afflicted patients. His volunteer work with MASN earned him the Golden Rule Award in 1994. He also provided financial contributions to numerous charitable organizations.
In the final act of his life, FJ was able to focus on some of his lifelong hobbies. He loved the arts and was an avid movie aficionado. He was a lifelong stamp collector and long-standing member of the Madison Stamp Club. FJ possessed a sizable stamp collection, to include memorabilia from the hundreds, (if not thousands), of zip code locations he'd visited on his extensive worldwide travels.
In 2012, FJ moved to Fort Atkinson to be closer to family. He resided in Fort Atkinson until he passed quietly in his home on Wednesday, May 3rd surrounded by family. He was preceded in death by his two younger brothers, William (1923-2014) and Gail (1926-1998). FJ is survived by his sister-in-law, Bonita (Gail), and his nieces and nephews; Katherine & Kyle Altmann (Burlington, NC), Joel & Michelle Roub (Ada, MI), John & Lisa Roub (Stafford, VA), Peter & Tracy Roub (Cambridge, WI) and Maisie & Miles Allie (Fort Atkinson, WI).
FJ will be sorely missed by those that had the pleasure of knowing him. His kindness and generosity knew no boundaries. His friendship and good humor will be forever cherished.
After the War, FJ finished school at Northwestern University, earning a Bachelor's Degree in Music in 1946 and a Masters of Music in 1948. He then joined the NATO post war effort in Greenland known as Operation Blue Jay, helping to establish Thule Air Base as part of the NATO strategic security effort while earning good money for travel and establishing the next chapter of his life.
Returning to the US in the early 50's, FJ traveled West, landing in San Francisco where he began his career as an educator, teaching 3rd Graders at Patrick Henry school - to include a young OJ Simpson. After three years of guiding and corralling third graders in San Francisco, FJ opted for a change of scenery. He moved to Germany, where he taught children of US Service Members in Stuttgart and other US Military locations in Germany.
FJ made his way back to the upper Midwest in the early 1960's, where he shifted his role as an educator to administration, and to his lifelong passion - music. He spent a short time at Northwestern before landing a position at the University of Wisconsin-Madison as the administrative assistant to the school of music and accompanist for countless student concerts and recitals. He retired from the university in 1987.
Throughout his life, FJ served as a selfless source of strength and understanding. He was a good listener, compassionate, generous, and always at the ready with a good, dry one liner. He was a close confidant to his brothers, William "Bill", and Gail. He served as an anchor for his family in Wisconsin - moving his mother into his house with him on Lake Kegonsa after the death of his father, and providing a secondary family setting for Gail's five children. His nieces and nephews will forever cherish the time spent with Uncle FJ and Grandma Gert at the house on Lake Kegonsa.
FJ was an active member of PFLAG and volunteered for the Madison Aids Support Network (MASN) to provide care and friendship for AIDS afflicted patients. His volunteer work with MASN earned him the Golden Rule Award in 1994. He also provided financial contributions to numerous charitable organizations.
In the final act of his life, FJ was able to focus on some of his lifelong hobbies. He loved the arts and was an avid movie aficionado. He was a lifelong stamp collector and long-standing member of the Madison Stamp Club. FJ possessed a sizable stamp collection, to include memorabilia from the hundreds, (if not thousands), of zip code locations he'd visited on his extensive worldwide travels.
In 2012, FJ moved to Fort Atkinson to be closer to family. He resided in Fort Atkinson until he passed quietly in his home on Wednesday, May 3rd surrounded by family. He was preceded in death by his two younger brothers, William (1923-2014) and Gail (1926-1998). FJ is survived by his sister-in-law, Bonita (Gail), and his nieces and nephews; Katherine & Kyle Altmann (Burlington, NC), Joel & Michelle Roub (Ada, MI), John & Lisa Roub (Stafford, VA), Peter & Tracy Roub (Cambridge, WI) and Maisie & Miles Allie (Fort Atkinson, WI).
FJ will be sorely missed by those that had the pleasure of knowing him. His kindness and generosity knew no boundaries. His friendship and good humor will be forever cherished.