Robert E. Westervelt

Robert Ellsworth Westervelt, age 96, passed away on Thursday, May 1, 2025, at Agrace Hospice Care. Bob was born April 27, 1929, in Baldwin, Long Island, New York, the son of Floyd E. and Frances (Doremus) Westervelt. He attended Coolidge Grade School in Baldwin, N.Y. Middle School in Jamestown and Buffalo, N.Y. and South Side High School in Rockville Centre, N.Y. Bob received a tennis scholarship to attend the University of Wisconsin where he studied Finance and graduated with a B.B.A. in 1950.

Not long after graduation Bob met and later married Lucille Offerdahl, a graduate Nurse at Madison General Hospital whose family came from Stoughton, WI where she was born and raised. They lived on Madison’s West side where they raised sons Scott and Bruce and daughter Susan.

After graduation from the University of Wisconsin Bob joined the Madison based investment firm of Bell & Farrell, Inc. He eventually became President of the firm and a member of the Midwest Stock Exchange. As his firm expanded and needed membership on the New York Stock Exchange, the firm merged with the Marshall Company of Milwaukee who was also joining the Exchange. As the brokerage industry consolidated, a series of mergers followed with Harris Upham & Co., Smith Barney, Citigroup and finally Morgan Stanley.

During this same time, Bob and some partners built and operated Madison’s first privately owned indoor tennis facility, the Madison Racquet Club, which they operated for eight years. Bob coordinated several tournaments for charity before selling to John Powless.

Bob also carried on an active life of community service serving as Treasurer and President of Bethel Lutheran Church and as a Director and President of its Endowment Foundation. Other activities have included being on the Board and Treasurer of the Madison YMCA and President of the Y’s Men’s Club of Madison, a member of Downtown Rotary and serving on the Board, Treasurer of Madison Tennis Assoc., Board member of Blackhawk Country Club, a Director and Treasurer of the Bethel Series. Bob received an award for philanthropic support of the Grow Among Friends campaign from Meriter Health Services. He also served on the District 8 Committee of the National Assn. of the Securities Industry.

Bob is survived by his children, Bruce (Mary) Westervelt, and Susan Miller; 4 grandchildren: Alex, Robert (Alicia), Michael, and David; and 2 great-grandchildren, Lucille and Charles. He was actively and consistently involved in the lives of his children, grandchildren, and even great-grandchildren through numerous individual and family activities and vacations.

He was preceded in death by his parents, both brothers, wife, Lucille “Lu”, son, Scott, and grandson, Devin.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 10, 2025, at Bethel Lutheran Church, 312 Wisconsin Avenue, Madison. Family will greet friends from 1 p.m. until the time of service. Light refreshments will follow the service. A private family burial will take place on Monday, May 12, 2025.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a favorite charity, Attic Angles, Agrace, or the Bethel Lutheran Church Foundation.

Please share your memories of Bob by posting here on his Tribute Wall.

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