Obit: Tibbetts, Robert L. (1923 - 2016)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Tibbetts, Jackson, Brown, Ellwein, Verchota

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 6/08/2016

Tibbetts, Robert L. (3 October 1923 - 17 January 2016) With Flag

Robert L. Tibbetts, 92, died Sunday, Jan. 17, 2016, at Azura Memory Care in Eau Claire.

Bob was born Oct. 3, 1923, to the late Manly Day and Inez (Jackson) Tibbetts in Beloit. He grew up in Stevens Point and graduated from PJ Jacobs High School in 1941. After attending UW-Stevens Point for one year, he enlisted in the Navy V-12 Officers Candidate Program. Under this program, he spent one year at Lawrence College (where he met his wife) and then transferred to UW-Madison College of Engineering. Upon completing the Officer Candidate program, he received his Ensign Commission at Columbia University, New York, NY. After his discharge following the war, Bob returned to UW-Madison to finish his degree in electrical engineering.

Nov. 9, 1945, Bob married Marguerite Brown at the bride’s home in Neillsville. In February 1947, the couple moved to Beloit, where Bob went to work at Fairbanks Morse Company in the generator department making auxiliary generators for the atomic subs. In the late 50s, several ex-Navy men started a Naval Reserve Unit in the Beloit/Janesville area. Bob ended his 37 years of active and reserve duty as a Lt. Commander and head of this reserve unit.

In 1979, he went to work for Fish Oven Company, which made commercial ovens. Upon his retirement in 1989, the couple moved to Eau Claire to be nearer family and their cottage on the Chippewa Flowage, where he loved to fish. Bob was a creative fixer; he could disappear for hours in his workshop at home and the cabin.

Bob will be remembered for his generous and helpful nature. He was an active and hardworking volunteer, helping those in need or supporting community projects. He loved music, especially singing for over 40 years in the First Congregational choirs in Beloit and then again in Eau Claire. Bob enjoyed genealogical research, taking him and Marguerite on many trips searching cemeteries and courthouses throughout the country.

Bob is survived by his wife of 70 years, Marguerite; daugher, Pamela Tibbetts (Linda Ellwein); sons, Charles (Eva) Tibbetts and Robert F. (Ye) Tibbetts; grandchildren Philip Tibbetts and Rebecca Tibbetts; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Hazel Verchota.

Memorials may be given to the First Congregational Church in Eau Claire or the UW-Madison College of Engineering.

A brief service for Bob will be held at 12 p.m. Sunday, June 12, 2016, at the Neillsville City Cemetery.

Following the service, friends are invited to join the family at The Brickyard for lunch.