Robert Leland Phelps

Robert L. Phelps, beloved husband of Mary Ellen passed away on Oct 15, 2010 in Stoughton WI.    He was born in 1923 in Salisbury MO. the 7th of 8 children of Robert and Lillian (Harlan) Phelps They moved to East St. Louis IL when he was a young man and he attended the University of IL where he studied chemical engineering and was a champion NCAA track and field athlete. In 1946 he graduated with honors with a BS degree. He worked for many years in research and development of deep-pile fabric for the textile industry in Delavan and Janesville WI. He retired in 1989 to garden, his lifelong passion and also enjoyed clock repair, Navaho rug weaving and furniture restoration. He was predeceased by his parents, six of his seven siblings and his daughter Susan Kaehler MD. In addition to Mary Ellen he is survived by his sons Robert and William (Bonnie), brother Charles   (Charlene) and grandchildren Auden Kaehler, Samuel, Joseph and Bettie Phelps. In lieu of flowers please send donations to the American Cancer Society or Salvation Army.   A memorial service will be held at 6:00 pm on Tuesday, October 19, 2010 at the Olson Holzhuter-Cress Funeral Home in Stoughton, where the family will greet friends from 4:00 until the time of service.    Robert L. Phelps beloved husband of Mary Ellen of Stoughton, Wisconsin passed away on Friday, October 15, 2010 at the age of 87. ""Little did we know, he left more than his footprints, he left his memories, his knowledge, his laughter and most of all he left his love."" Whether you knew him as Robert, Bob, Dad, Grandpa or RL, he will always be remembered as someone who you could depend on, someone who would come over and help you fix anything that needed fixing.   Bob Phelps was born on February 14, 1923 in Salisbury, Missouri.   He was the seventh child of Robert Lee and Lilian Francis (Harlan) Phelps.   Bob was raised with seven brothers and sisters: Daphne Clavin, Erlene Atchison, Harlan (Hop) Phelps, Elwood Phelps, Roberta Bigsby, Eleanor Handley and Charles Phelps.   Of the eight siblings Charles is now the sole survivor, Bob has joined his brothers and sisters: Daphne, Erlene, Hop, Elwood, Roberta and Eleanor.   Bob is preceded in death by his beautiful and talented daughter Susan Kaehler (Michael Finley). When he was a young man his family moved from the farm to Salisbury, Missouri and then to the city of East Saint Louis, Illinois in the late 30's.   Growing up in East Saint Louis was a series of adventures, hard work, and commitment to family and friends. Bob's quest for knowledge led him to the University of Illinois where he attained a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering.   At Illinois Bob was an accomplished track and field athlete, and was the captain of the U of I track team in 1946 He was the NCAA pole vaulting champion in 1944 and 1945, and in 2007, the University honored his accomplishments by hanging a banner with his picture on it in the U of I Field House.   .As an undergrad, Bob knew that even the smallest steps could result in the greatest gains.   Not only did he earn his degree with honors, but he courted and won the heart of another with a love of chemistry, Mary Ellen Atterbery.   They were married on March 6, 1948 in her hometown of Hillsboro, Illinois.    After graduation they had moved to West Orange   and Patterson, New Jersey respectively, and later, as newlyweds to Pottstown, Pennsylvania where they were blessed with their first child, a daughter, Susan.   Bob took a job with the Borg Fabrics company in 1951 and the family moved to Delavan, Wisconsin.   Three years later In 1954, Bob was thrilled to become the proud parent of twin sons, Robert (Bob) and William (Bill).   In 1974, Bob and Mary made their last move, to Stoughton, Wisconsin.   Bob was an accomplished chemical engineer who had a long and prestigious career in the textile manufacturing industry.   He was able to retire to pursue his many other interests in 1989.   Although retired, he found he missed the work environment and took several short term jobs of a year or two each.   Bob became a talented weaver of traditional Navajo style rugs.   He repaired and built clocks, and restored furniture.   He was an avid gardener who fought a long valiant battle to save his fruit and flower crops from the local birds, squirrels and rabbits.   His pride and joy were his blueberry bushes and his beautiful roses.   Bob and Mary enjoyed traveling and were fortunate to be able to take many exciting trips to exotic locations around the world.   Their tr avels included an African safari in Kenya, trips to Scandinavia, the Caribbean, Yellowstone National Park, Washington DC, and England. They visited France numerous times while their daughter Susan was living there attending medical school in Grenoble.   Bob and Mary also visited son Bill in Africa where he was a Peace Corps volunteer in Lesotho.   After Mary retired, they enjoyed many winter stays in Florida.   Bob is survived by his wife of 62 years, Mary Ellen, his two sons; Bob (Cathy Ellis) living in Stoughton, and Bill (Bonnie) in Oregon, Wisconsin.   He is also survived by his loving grandchildren, the eldest, Auden Kaehler (son of   Bob's late daughter, Dr. Susan Kaehler) and his fiancee, Elizabeth Haverkamp currently residing in Kuala Lumpur, Maylasia, and Samuel, Joseph and Bettie in Oregon.   Bob will be missed by many nieces and nephews, especially Michael (Marcia) Phelps of Ft. Atkinson, Wisconsin and J. Tom Clavin (Chris) of Keytesville Missouri.The family would like to thank friends Rebecca and Al Olson and Cathy Ellis for their special friendship and thoughtfulness, Also Bryan Kendall who was a very special friend of the family and who could always get a smile or laugh out of Bob. Peggy Kiss and Pat Warden for their tender and loving care provided to Bob over the past year, and Dr. Brehm and the nurses of Stoughton Hospital third floor, especially Sarah, Lisa, Rhonda and Barb.   A special thank you also, to the nurses of Hospice, notably Kiva and for their respect, care and consideration in the last week of Bob's hospital stay.Bob, we know you don't want us to mourn forever but to remember the good times.   We all have beautiful memories filled with joy, laughter and love.   The world will be poorer for your passing, but so much richer because you lived.   Bob, you are a tribute to life and living.   We think of you often and will cherish you in our hearts forever. No person is ever truly alone. Those who live no more, whom we loved, echo still within our thoughts. Our words, our hearts And what they did And what they were becomes a part of all that we are. Forever Bob, we would like to celebrate your great love for your family.   We could always count on you to be there for us and your generosity knew no bounds. You lived, laughed, loved. We will all hold special memories of you.   Thank you for the gift of love that you brought to each of us.   May your soul rest in peace. ""Passing leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal"" headstone in Ireland Always and forever, your loving family and friends.