Robert Troller

MADISON- Robert (Bob) John Troller died at Agrace Hospice Center in Madison, Wisconsin on Aug. 29, 2015 following a recent stroke. He was 88.

He and his wife, Dorothy, celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary in June of this year. Born Oct. 24, 1926, in Hartford, Wisconsin to John (Jack) and Bonnie Troller, he attended the University of Wisconsin in Madison, where he obtained his undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering as well as a master's degree in business. He enlisted in the Air Force officer training program while still in high school and spent time training in Colorado before returning to college.

He and Dorothy began dating as students at the UW, and graduated together in the Class of 1949. Deep friendships made during their student days and as a young married couple in Madison have endured for over six decades, most particularly with the Williams and Melli families.

He applied his considerable creative skills and training to founding and developing a successful manufacturing business in Verona, Wisconsin, which he and Dorothy ran together for over 45 years. They sold CECOR, Inc. in 2000. He was proud to serve as a board member of the former Methodist Hospital, including during its merger with the former Madison General to create Meriter Hospital. Bob played trumpet in a small dance band during his high school career, and in recent years found new friendships, fun and satisfaction playing the baritone horn with the Madison chapter of the New Horizons Band, which he fondly called the elderly band. He was an avid collector of antique automobiles, with an emphasis on Studebakers like the ones his father sold through his dealership garage in Hartford, and Kissel Kars, which were manufactured in Hartford from 1906 to 1930.

The Trollers loved spending time in Door County with friends and family for over 50 years, and they took particular pleasure in their house in Bailey's Harbor, designed by their son, Tom. Bob was a lively participant in a recent Door County family reunion where he was surrounded by his children, grandchildren and a great grandchild. During this last trip, Bob used a new scythe in the never-ending battle against phragmites, and supervised repeated rescues of his wife's goose-chasing drone from several tall trees.

He is survived by his wife, Dorothy; daughter, Susan (Howard) Cosgrove of New Glarus; son, Tom (Jane) Troller of Ipswich, Massachusetts and daughter-in-law, Nancy Troller of Middleton. Bob's younger son, Robert C. Troller, died in 1995. Grandchildren include Bonnie Cosgrove (Bruce Nilles) of Oakland, CA; Amelia (Bryan) Thomas of Austin, Texas; Julia Cosgrove of Madison; John M. Troller of Denver; Emma and Conrad Troller of Ipswich and a great granddaughter, Juliet, who lives with her parents in California. Other survivors include his brother, John A. (Betty) Troller of Cincinnati, Ohio and sister, Marjorie Hagerman, of Athens, Ohio plus nephews, a niece and many dear friends.

There will be a memorial gathering for family and friends to celebrate his life on his birthday, October 24, from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. at Capitol Lakes Retirement Community, where he and Dorothy have lived for the past 5 years. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the Madison Symphony Orchestra and to the University of Wisconsin Engineering School's Engineers Without Borders Scholarship Fund in Robert Troller's name.

Cress Funeral and Cremation Service
3610 Speedway Road, Madison
(608) 238-3434