Robert T. Sather

MADISON

Robert T. Sather, age 83, died peacefully at Homestead Living in Waunakee on Sunday, October 17, 2010.

Robert was born on March 27, 1927, in Saint Paul, MN, son of Samuel and Blanche (Heintz) Sather. He was preceded in death by his wife, Florence Mallare, and two siblings, Richard and Mary Ann Sather. He is survived by his children, Sara Brownell, Jane Sather, Joel (Carrie) Sather and Ann (Scott) Zimmerman, and their mother and his former wife, Patricia Sweeney; grandchildren John Brownell, Timothy Schreiber, Daniel and Jessica Zimmerman and Lillian Sather; younger siblings, William (Kay) and Frances Sather; eight nephews and nieces, and several great nephews and great nieces.

Sweet, bright and athletic, Robert enjoyed an active childhood in Hibbing, MN. He had especially fond memories of his teachers and the friends he made at Alice Elementary School and North Central Agriculture School, and often told funny and heartwarming stories about swimming and fishing with his family in the crystal clear waters of Lake Pokegama.

At 18, Robert was drafted and served during WW II in the US Army in Europe until 1946. He was particularly grateful for this as it allowed him, ""just a young, country boy,"" to greatly broaden his life experience.

In addition to giving him a lifelong appreciation of Italian culture and Swiss bedding, his brief stint in the army afforded him the opportunity to attend college on the GI Bill, which he enthusiastically did upon his return to Minnesota. Robert obtained his B.S. from St. John's University in 1950, and his M.A. in English from Marquette University in Milwaukee in 1953. He also worked toward a Ph.D at U.W. Madison from 1954 to 1958.

Robert had a long and gratifying career teaching English at U.W. Stout and the College of Lake County in Grayslake, Illinois. A gifted instructor, he gently encouraged his students to realize their full potential. The opportunity to share his enthusiasm for literature and the arts brought him much pleasure throughout the years. In 1991, he retired to Madison to be nearer to those who always meant the most to him - his children and siblings.

Although Robert had his share of struggles and sorrow, he handled them all with extraordinary dignity, grace and humor. It was a joy to be part of his life.

A memorial service with military honors will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, October 22, 2010 at Cress Funeral Home, 6021 University Avenue, followed by a light lunch. Inurnment in Resurrection Catholic Cemetery will begin at 2 pm. Family will greet friends at the funeral home, on Friday, from 10 am until the time of service. 

The family thanks the staff at Homestead Living and HospiceCare, Inc. for their compassion, care and support.

                                                                   Nature's first green is gold,

                                                                     Her hardest hue to hold.

                                                                     Her early leaf's a flower;

                                                                        But only so an hour.

                                                                    Then leaf subsides to leaf.

                                                                      So Eden sank to grief,

                                                                   So dawn goes down to day.

                                                                       Nothing gold can stay.

                                                                                                         -Robert Frost