Obit: Pocock, Robert Edwin Sr., (1924 - 2011)

Contact: bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Ayers, Bollman, Cypher, Miller, Park, Pocock, Roehl

----Source: The Star News (Medford, Taylor Co., Wisconsin) Thursday, March 14, 2011, online edition

Pocock, Robert "Bob Who" Edwin Sr., (July 10, 1924 - March 8, 2011)

Robert "Bob Who" Edwin Pocock Sr., 86, Rib Lake, died on Tuesday, March 8 at his home. A time of remembrance will be held on Saturday, March 12 at the Rib Lake Senior Center from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Robert Pocock was born on July 10, 1924 in Whiteside County, Ill., to the late John and Lona (Park) Pocock. At the age of four, he moved with his family to Kansas. He attended schools in Grand Tool, Kan., graduating in 1942. He worked on his dad's farm.

In Kansas, he married Wilma Ayers, and they divorced in 1974. They had three children.

He repaired steam engines and was a blacksmith with Pacific Railroad in Kansas and farmed on his own for two years with his sister and brother-in-law, Betty and Bill Miller.

In December 1943 he moved to Ogema and worked on a farm, then moved to Westboro and did carpentry work with Gene Metzger, then worked as a herdsman in Colby for three years making $1 a day, then worked for Bill Shilling farming before farming on his own. He got a horse from Charlie Novotny and had his own blacksmith shop in Ogema, then worked at Omark for 23-1/2 years.

On July 10, 1976 at First Lutheran Church Parsonage in Ogema, he married Karen Cypher, who survives, and they had four children. He retired from Omark at the age of 62.

He enjoyed wood and metal working, gardening, fishing, spending time with family and friends, and he played banjo and guitar for various dance bands.

In addition to his wife, Karen, survivors include six children, Robert Jr. (Yuki) of Panama, Richard (Geneva) of Weston, Terry (Mary) of Norfolk, Va., Jamie (Wendy) of Spring Valley, John (Jacqueline) of Medford and Patricia (Chris) Bollman of Rib Lake; 12 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews; and other relatives and friends.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Linda Roehl, in 1995; a grandson, Joshua Pocock, in 1995; and a sister and brother-in-law, Betty (Bill) Miller.

Dallmann-Kniewel Funeral Homes of Medford and Rib Lake assisted the family with arrangements.