Robert Bruce Herriot Sr., age 97, of Friendship, Wisconsin died peacefully on Monday, December 26, 2016 at Wisconsin Veterans Home in King, Wisconsin.
Funeral services will be 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 31, 2016 at Roseberry’s Funeral Home in Friendship, Wisconsin. Private family burial with military honors will be at the Easton Cemetery. Visitation will be 11:00 a.m. until the time of service on Saturday at Roseberry’s Funeral Home.
Bob was born December 7, 1919 in Adams, Wisconsin to Robert Marion and Ruth Clara (Brown) Herriot who came to Adams County to work on the railroad. Bob was the president of his class at Adams-Friendship High School. His football team was undefeated and were the state champions in 1935.
Following high school graduation, he went to work for the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad.
Bob married Gwendolyn Esther Steffen on June 20, 1942 in Adams, Wisconsin.
He entered the service on March 16, 1943 and became a paratrooper with the 101st Airborne. He jumped at Sainte-Mere-Eglise on D-Day. Not liking the odds of survival for paratroopers, he decided to join the glider division before his next mission. He earned a Bronze Star for leading men across a bridge under fire during fighting near Vechel. He was wounded in Holland; earning a Purple Heart. He returned to fight, only to end up surrounded with the 101st at the Battle of the Bulge, at Bastogne. Later, the 101st captured Hitler’s Eagles Nest. There, much of the priceless artwork stolen by the Nazis throughout the war had been collected. Having been a railroad clerk meant he could use a typewriter and so he volunteered to stay behind to itemize the artwork so that it could be returned to rightful owners. He was honorably discharged on November 20, 1945.
Bob then went back to the railroad in Adams as a clerk in the yard. He retired in 1980 at 60 years old. Displayed in our local library is his mother’s poem, “Adams on the Sparta Line”. In 2013, he celebrated the 100 year anniversary of the Railroad Pioneers in Adams, with himself and much of his family in the parade.
In 2009, Bob was invited by President Obama to return to Normandy to Commerate the 65th anniversary of D-Day. In a broader tour of Europe, at that time, he visited several of the major battlegrounds including, Omaha Beach, and Bastogne.
In 2010 he took the Honor Flight to Washington D.C. where he toured the WWII Memorial, all of the monuments and the Arlington National Cemetery.
Bob had a well put in at the Easton Cemetery, so that any and all could have water for fresh flowers, trees, and planting.
He is an accomplished and self-published poet. His book “Blue Eyed Goddess of the Wood” is a compilation of both his and his family’s poetry and prose. His book has been donated to the Adams library and the historical society.
Bob and Gwen spent many years traveling the country to visit their children and grandchildren as well as a trip together to England. They spent many winters in Arizona, lucky little snowbirds. Following Gwen’s passing in 2007, Bob enjoyed traveling with his children to visit family and friends throughout the United States.
He was a lifelong member of VFW Post #6279 in Adams and also American Legion Post #250. “An Interview with Bob Herriot”, telling of his WWII experience, is kept at the war museum in Madison. Bob was also a lifelong member of the Arbor foundation and loved planting trees. He also enjoyed playing cards, especially Pinochle and Cribbage.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Robert & Ruth Herriot; wife, Gwendolyn Esther Steffen Herriot; son, Robert Bruce Herriot Jr.; Sons-in-law, James Pokszyk & Dominic Lalicata; granddaughters, Mandy & Casey Herriot; sisters, Evelyn Herriot & Doris (Clair) Burgdorff and brothers, Raymond (Katie) Richard (Betty) Herriot.
Survivors:
Son: David Jon (Shari Davis) Herriot of Madison, Wisconsin
Son: Richard Lee (Toni) Herriot of Kaukauna, Wisconsin
Daughter: Pamela Ann (Curt Zimmerman) Herriot of Mc Farland, Wisconsin
Son: Patrick Noel (Victoria) Herriot of Adams, Wisconsin
Son: Floyd Thomas (Kay) Herriot of Reedsburg, Wisconsin
Daughter: Dawn Elizabeth Pokszyk of Adams, Wisconsin
Daughter: Deirdre Anne Lalicata of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin
Daughter: Holly Maria (Peter) Kochalka of Cambridge, Vermont
Daughter: Mary Gwen (Nicholas) Schneider of Portage, Wisconsin
Daughter: Heidi Marie Herriot of Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin
Daughter: Heather Jean Herriot of Friendship, Wisconsin
Son: Neal Arthur Herriot of Chesterfield, New Hampshire
32 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren
Brother: Howard (Lillian) Herriot of Scottsdale, Arizona
Brother-in-law: Robert Steffen of Tucson, Arizona
Brother-in-law: Fred (Irene) Steffen of Friendship, Wisconsin
Our condolences to the family.
Bob trained me to be a clerk on the railroad – always remember his patience – just one hellva fun guy.
Dan, Mom & I are sending our love and prayers. God bless you all!
My sincere sympathy to everyone in the Herriot Family.
I have many happy memories of times spent with members of the family.
Your Father was a very special man to be proud of.
My sympathy to all of the Herriot families. I grew up with the older Herriot kids and my kids grew up with the younger ones. Amazing family of 13. My thoughts are with you all.
Our deepest condolences to the Harriott family!
Condolences to the Harriet family on your loss. My dad, Bud Lowe and Bob were good friends and he helped me get a summer job on the railroad out of Madison.
So sorry for your loss. Prayers to everyone
My condolences to the whole Herriot family.
My sincere condolences to the Harriet family. I never got a chance to meet him, but Heather spoke of him often
It was a privilege to get to know Bob, even slightly. I’m thankful for his long life, and his remarkable legacy.
My heart goes out to the Herriot family and friends. He was such a special man. Love and hugs to you all.
My deepest sympathy on the death of a beautiful person, father and grandfather. Love, Dorothy and Steve Stroschein
Condolences to the family and friends of the Herriot family!
Sending thought and prayers .. sorry for the loss of your Dad and Grandpa.
Mary and family, you are in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
My condolences to the Herriot family.
I loved both Bob and Gwen. They were always so kind to me and came to my rescue a time or two. So much of my teen life was spent at their house and they always made me feel welcomed. I will always think of them fondly. My condolences to the family for your great loss.
Our prayers go out to all of the Herriots. So sorry for your loss.
So very sorry for your loss. Sending lots of healing prayers to all of the family.
I, along with all my family, send our deepest sympathy to all of the dear Herriot Family. You were all blessed to have him as your father and he took such pride in all of you. God bless you all with many great memories!
My Sincere Condolences to the Herriot family.
So saddened to hear this,,,was just thinking of him the other day. What a nice, nice man who will be greatly missed. My love and prayers to you and your family at such a difficult time….
So sorry for your loss. Prayers for your families.
As Grandson Chris mentioned: ” They don’t make um like this anymore.”
Condolences to your family!
Sympathies to the Herriot Family in the loss of your Dad! Blessings to you all..
Love, Fran & Flo Gonzagowski
So sorry to hear this. What a great man he was…prayers are with you all.
You have my deepest sympathy for the loss of your Dad. I remember so many times sitting and visiting with your mom and dad back in the days when Heather and I were getting ready to go somewhere! Bob and Gwen were such a great couple to know.
To the whole Herriot family: our thoughts and prayers are with you all! {{HUGS}}
My deepest condolences to the Herriot family.
We send our love and sympathy to all of your family!
My Mom and Dad always spoke of Bob and Gwen with the greatest respect. My sympathy to all of the Herriot Family for the loss of your Dad. My thoughts will be with you as you mourn his loss but celebrate a life well lived.
Bob, Gwen and I would see each other at auctions and I visited their booth at the flea market many times. Herriot family, my sympathy is with you
So sorry for your families loss
so sorry on your loss.