- Robert Grogan, Kaukauna, passed away Monday, February 18, 2008, at his home in Kaukauna. He was 94.
Bob was born in Kaukauna on March 14, 1913, the second son of Appleton attorney Francis Grogan and Elizabeth Foley. He attended Holy Cross Grade School and Kaukauna High School, graduating with the class of 1930. Bob excelled in academics and athletics in high school winning the Lang Trophy, an award given annually to an outstanding member of the senior class. Bob's lasting legacy to the school is the KHS Victory March which he wrote in his sophomore year. After graduating from Lawrence College, Bob worked at the Thilmany Paper Mill, for the Wisconsin department of corrections, and National Youth Administration before being drafted into the Army in 1942. He graduated from Officer Candidate School in November, 1943. While working for NYA he met his Ruthie. Sgt. Grogan and Ruth Bettin were married July 3, 1943, in La Crosse, Ruth's hometown. Bob and Ruth lived and loved together for sixty years until her death in October 2003.
Returning to Kaukauna after the war, Bob was appointed postmaster, a position he held for thirty years. During that time Bob was active in many civic enterprises. He was a founding member of the Fox Valley Golf Club. He served several terms, including vice-president of the Kaukauna Board of Education. Professionally, Bob was also active in the National Association of Postmasters, and was president of the state chapter. Bob was also active in his parish serving on many committees over the years. He was among the first group of lectors at Holy Cross.
Bob liked to relax, too. He took great pride and joy attending his son's baseball games. Golf was his game. He'd play all summer at area courses and most of the winter in Brownsville, Texas. Bob and Ruth spent many winters in Brownsville and relished the friendships, golf, and grapefruit.
Accomplishments and adjectives alone cannot describe the warmth, wit, and wisdom of Bob Grogan. He was a man of amazing strength and courage. Never motivated by acclaim or profit, Bob always sought to do what was right. Countless dinner conversations with his teenage children centered on the words of St. Paul reminding them that the greatest virtue was charity in thought as well as deed. But a generous spirit was only one of the gifts that Bob had to share. He was a hero to those who knew him in so many ways. His integrity, his acceptance of life's ups and downs, his faith, his concern for the less fortunate, his patriotism, his sense of humor, his sense of justice, and his sense of appreciation are just some of the gifts for which he will be remembered.
Bob was proud of his Irish heritage. He was a life-long Democrat, and a first class Packers fan; all traits which he passed on to his children.
Bob will deeply missed by his daughters: Anne (Lee) Blahnik of Sturgeon Bay and Mary (William) Seleen of Green Bay; a son-in-law: Gerald Schmidt of Kaukauna; a daughter-in-law: Katy Grogan of Janesville; his grandchildren: Justine Schmidt, Nathan Schmidt, and Matthew (Andra) Schmidt, Maureen (Arron) Trickey, Ellen (Brian) Hubers, Andrew Blahnik, Leigh Anne Blahnik, Neal (Brandi) Blahnik, Dr. Brian Grogan, Daniel Grogan, Robert (Tara) Seleen, and Elizabeth Seleen. He is further survived by a brother: George (Joan) Grogan of Santa Rosa, California and a sister-in-law: Delores Grogan of Wayzata, Minnesota, as well as nieces, nephews, and great-grandchildren: Jacob, Chase, and Payton Trickey and Lexi and Owen "Little Bob" Hubers.
He was preceded in death by his wife, his parents, two children: Patricia and Michael, and brothers: Francis and John.
The funeral mass for Bob will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, February 23, 2008, at HOLY CROSS CATHOLIC CHURCH, 309 Desnoyer Street, in Kaukauna, with Fr. Martin Fox officiating. Friends may call directly at the church on Saturday from 9 a.m. until the time of the liturgy at 10 a.m.
Bob's family would like to express thanks to the staff of Valley VNA and Heartland Hospice for the care, love, and friendship shown to him in these last years. We are especially grateful to Eleanor Farrell and Jane Brogan for the tender, loving care that they provided.
May your neighbors respect you,
Troubles neglect you,
Angels protect you,
And Heaven accept you!
FARGO FUNERAL HOME 400 W. Wisconsin Avenue Kaukauna 920-766-6200 www.wichmannfargo.com
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1913 - 2008 (94 years)
Education - High School
