Robert Roth

Picha Funeral Home, Locally Owned and Operated

Providing Friendly, Courteous and Dignified Funeral Service

Robert Roth, age 84 of Lyndon Station, Wisconsin died Monday, March 17, 2008 at St. Clare Hospital in Baraboo, Wisconsin.

The Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held Wednesday, March 26, 2008 at 10:30 A.M. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Lyndon Station with Father Paul Czerwonka celebrating. Interment of his cremains will be at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery and military rites will be provided by the Maurice C. Havey VFW Post 5970 of Lyndon Station and AMVETS Post 2180 of Necedah, Wisconsin. Visitation will be held at the Conway Picha Funeral Home in Lyndon Station on Tuesday from 4 to 8 P.M.

Robert was born March 15, 1924 in Mauston, Wisconsin the son of Herbert and Rhessa (Pigott) Roth. In February of 1943 he was inducted into the U.S. Army. This following article was written about Robert and quoted from Major General Leonard Wing in 1945. “Private First Class Robert M. Roth, Infantry, United States Army. For gallantry in action against the enemy at Luzon, Philippine Islands on 12 May 1945. Private Roth, moving with a patrol to a forward position through a dry streambed bordered by thick brush encountered fire from an enemy ambush. The patrol dispersed quickly and in scrambling over the streambank toward a knoll, a machine gun was dropped. Without regard for his own life, Private Roth ran back, picked up the gun and set it up on the forward slope of the knoll firing at the enemy until the rest of the group was able to get to the other side of the hill. Only when all were safely out, and the enemy fire had diminished due to his steady and effective fire, did Private Roth cease firing and rejoin his group with the gun. Private Roth’s outstanding courage, expert manipulation of fire and fidelity undoubtedly was responsible for the safety and escape of many of his comrades.” Roth served two hitches in the army during World War 2 and the Korean War. During World War 2 he served in the 43^rd Infantry Division in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater as a heavy machine gunner. During that war he received a Silver Star, Bronze Star, two Purple Hearts of which one was pinned on him by First lady Eleanor Roosevelt, the Asiatic-Pacific Theater Service Medal, the Philippine Liberation Ribbon and four overseas service bars.

Robert was the most highly decorated living World War 2 veteran in Juneau County and was recognized for his bravery and service to his country by the Maurice C. Havey VFW Post 5970 of Lyndon Station in the 2006 Memorial Day service. In November of 2007 he was also inducted into the Veteran’s Administration Hall of Heroes in Tomah, Wisconsin.

In January of 1947 Robert married his high school sweetheart, Eileen Gerhardt in Lyndon Station. Until his retirement in 1986 he worked as a welder/steamfitter for Madison Union Local 601 and his work took him to many places in Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan and even Greenland. He enjoyed hunting big game out west; cooking; baking; and sports, especially boxing, football and basketball. He also vacationed with his wife to Florida, Texas and Arizona.

Robert is survived by his wife, Eileen; sons, Robert (Patti) Roth of Eagle, Colorado and Patrick Roth of Telluride, Colorado; daughters, Renee (Jerry) Sobojinski and Susie (Greg) Stroede both of Wisconsin Dells and Nancy (Wayne) Greenwood of Fairbanks, Alaska; grandchildren, Wesley and Lance Stroede, Brianna Roth, Chance Roth, John and Lucas Triggs, Michael Crull, Abbe Thompson, Hannah Sobojinski and Carley and John Greenwood; great grandchildren, Matthew and Jakob Crull, Lennon Stroede and Evan Thompson; sister, Lois Fox of Eau Claire, Wisconsin and nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Mardelle Triggs and brother in law, Norman Fox.