Robert W. Mather

Robert Warren Mather was born in Waupaca on August 19, 1926. He was the youngest of six children born to Robert Earl and Grace Sawyer Mather. He spent his childhood in Waupaca and graduated from Waupaca High School. He entered the US Army in March of 1946. He was an acting motor sergeant in Korea for 18 months, guarding the 38th parallel. Bob's first job after his discharge was with Western Electric, installing the dial phone system in Appleton. He was briefly married to Elinor Kneeland and moved to the Fox Valley. Later he got an apprenticeship in auto mechanics at Appleton Motors. Subsequently he became a draftsman with Giddings and Lewis. In 1956 he married Lillian Mayer and became a step father to her two children, Albert and Melodi. Shortly thereafter they had another daughter, Amy. While living in Kaukauna, he owned and operated Bob's Cities Service Station. Brother Mel recruited Bob to join his company, Moore-o-Matic, manufacturing garage door openers in Waupaca. Through the years, Bob had positions in sales, quality control, and in his engineering role he designed dumb-waiters and elevators which developed into the Waupaca Elevator Company. In later years he operated his own garage door sales and service company. In 1979, Bob married Patricia Lenhart Hall and became a step father to four Hall children. Bob and Pat made their home in Waupaca. Throughout Bob's life he had many interests in a variety of hobbies and activities. Among his favorites was pistol shooting, which resulted in being Wisconsin Champion in 1953. He enjoyed golf, skiing, biking, playing pool, playing cards and geocaching. He was instrumental in starting the Waupaca Kiwanis and was a volunteer with the food pantry and Meals on Wheels. He spent the last 10 months at the Veterans Home in King where he died on November 5th, 2016. He is survived by: his wife, Patricia; his daughters, Amy Eklund (Joe), Melodi Duwell (Dr. James), Brenda Kopf; sons, Scott Hall (Jane), Steven Hall (Renee); Grandchildren, Dr. Ari Duwell (Dr. Soazig), Dr. Monique Duwell (Greg), Elizabeth Eklund, Peter Eklund, Luke Hall, Sawyer Hall, Jenifer Short; his four great-grandchildren; and his sister, Roberta Jasper. He was preceded in death by: his brothers; Melvin Mather, Marvin Mather, and Daryl Mather; sister Marjorie Robinson; a son, Scott Albert Mayer; a daughter, Pamela Hall; and a son in law, Toby Kopf. The family wishes to thank the staff at Olson Hall of the Veteran's Home for their dedicated care. A Memorial Service for Bob will be on Saturday, November 12th at 11:00am at the Holly Funeral Home in Waupaca, WI. A visitation will be held on Saturday beginning at 9:30am until the time of the service at the Holly Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been created in Bob's name for those who may wish to contribute.

Robert W. Mather

August 19, 1926 - November 5, 2016