Robert Coleman

Shorewood Hills - Robert H. Coleman, 79, died Wednesday, July 13, 2016. Born March 30, 1937, Bob was the son of Mildred and Lloyd Coleman. A lifelong resident of Shorewood Hills, Bob began working at age 8, mowing lawns and at age 11 popped popcorn for UW sports events. He graduated from Wisconsin High School with the class of 1955. At the University of Wisconsin, Bob excelled in Applied Art and after creating his silver carriage was offered 20 scholarships including ones from Chrysler and Fulbright. He was a member of the 1956 national championship Boxing Team, lettered in Fencing and was Bucky Badger for two and a half years. For 65 years, Bob missed only one home football game and attended hockey for 50 years. As the owner of Robert Coleman and Company, he was a designing and manufacturing jeweler. He also drew finely detailed wildlife pictures and most significantly developed a method to cast botanical studies that were accurate in shape and thickness of leaves and veins which gave 3D dimensions to flowers in the mediums of gold and silver. Endangered species were in these studies. He was accomplished in woodworking and in recent years he carved whimsical gourds. Bob had a lifelong fascination with miniatures and in model railroading he worked in N scale. He won the top national award for his 1886 steam locomotive which was 100% scratch built. Bob was a member of the National W Club, National Model Railroad Association, the Blue Line Club, Delta Tau Delta fraternity and a lifelong member of Christ Presbyterian Church. Bob is survived by his sister, Muriel, and was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Ann; and grandmother, Vatter. Thanks to the skilled Meriter nurses and doctors during his last weeks and sincere gratitude goes to Drs. Jennifer Everton and Nick Mannarino for years of care. Funeral services for Bob will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, July 18, 2016 at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 3610 Speedway Road, Madison, with a reception to follow. Special appreciation goes to Don and Marcia Price of Lake Vermillion for sharing Paradise Point.
As the song goes, Over The Rainbow Bob.

Cress Funeral & Cremation Service
3610 Speedway Road, Madison
608-238-3434