NEW GLARUS, WI - Robert H. Beckwith, age 79, of New Glarus passed away on Monday, November 23, 2015 at Agrace HospiceCare, Inc. in Fitchburg. He was born the son of Oral and Jesse Beckwith on October 16, 1936 at the Hefty-Blum Homestead. Bob was baptized, confirmed, and married at the Swiss United Church of Christ in New Glarus. On October 16, 1955 he was united in marriage to Mae Heimann. Early in his working years he bought two milk routes hauling can milk from the farms to market. As a can milk hauler Bob not only had to lift every can into the truck bed, but then also "double deck" cans in a rack above the floor. In 1958 he started the first "Grade B" bulk route in the area. Now the milk was pumped into a bulk tank and hauled to Belleville. Later he worked at Gisholt foundry which later became Giddings & Lewis in Madison, for almost 20 years. Bob completed his working years at Federal Industries in Belleville.
Mae and Bob also opened their home to two mentally challenged individuals & lovingly cared for them for over 14 years.
In his younger years Bob loved to hunt, fish, trap, and do mechanical work on cars. In his later years he kept busy in the summer selling night crawlers and tending his garden. In winter he made sure the birds and squirrels always had food.
Bob is survived by his wife Mae, sons Robert (Deana), William (Terri Yaun), Bruce (Janet), John (Stephanie), daughters Ann (Kelvin) Klassy, Brenda (Bernard) Kela, Vicki (Russell) Swiggum, twelve grandchildren Maria Hillyer, Jessica (Kevin) Geib, Brooke and Kyle Klassy, Jeremy Swiggum, Ryan, Stephanie, Brett, Viktoria, Bruce, Kelsey, and Dylan Beckwith. Inherited grandchildren Emily and Jenna Folstad, Matthew Halverson, Arsene and Senes Kela. He was also "Papa" to two very special great granddaughters Amelia Geib and Emma Hillyer and inherited great-granddaughter Elizabeth Kela. He is further survived by a sister Esther Norderhaug.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Raymond, Raphael, Howard, Delmer, Bernard, and Jess, a sister Dorothy, and daughter-in-law Cathie Beckwith.
To honor Bob's request there will be no funeral service. There will be a gathering of relatives and friends from 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 28, 2015 at the Swiss United Church of Christ Fellowship Hall, 18 Fifth Ave., New Glarus, WI. A light lunch will be served along with Bob's favorite food Limburger cheese.
A memorial fund has been established.
The Zentner-Beal Funeral Home of New Glarus is assisting the family.
An online memorial with guestbook is available at www.bealfuneralhomes.com.
Mae and Bob also opened their home to two mentally challenged individuals & lovingly cared for them for over 14 years.
In his younger years Bob loved to hunt, fish, trap, and do mechanical work on cars. In his later years he kept busy in the summer selling night crawlers and tending his garden. In winter he made sure the birds and squirrels always had food.
Bob is survived by his wife Mae, sons Robert (Deana), William (Terri Yaun), Bruce (Janet), John (Stephanie), daughters Ann (Kelvin) Klassy, Brenda (Bernard) Kela, Vicki (Russell) Swiggum, twelve grandchildren Maria Hillyer, Jessica (Kevin) Geib, Brooke and Kyle Klassy, Jeremy Swiggum, Ryan, Stephanie, Brett, Viktoria, Bruce, Kelsey, and Dylan Beckwith. Inherited grandchildren Emily and Jenna Folstad, Matthew Halverson, Arsene and Senes Kela. He was also "Papa" to two very special great granddaughters Amelia Geib and Emma Hillyer and inherited great-granddaughter Elizabeth Kela. He is further survived by a sister Esther Norderhaug.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Raymond, Raphael, Howard, Delmer, Bernard, and Jess, a sister Dorothy, and daughter-in-law Cathie Beckwith.
To honor Bob's request there will be no funeral service. There will be a gathering of relatives and friends from 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 28, 2015 at the Swiss United Church of Christ Fellowship Hall, 18 Fifth Ave., New Glarus, WI. A light lunch will be served along with Bob's favorite food Limburger cheese.
A memorial fund has been established.
The Zentner-Beal Funeral Home of New Glarus is assisting the family.
An online memorial with guestbook is available at www.bealfuneralhomes.com.