Robert L. “Bob” DeVoe

MADISON- Robert L. “Bob” DeVoe, age 86, passed on Thursday, May 10, at Oakwood Village East Assisted Living.

Bob was born October 10, 1925 to Leslie and Rose DeVoe in Browntown, Wisconsin. He spent most of his youth living in Monroe and graduated from Monroe High School in 1943.

During his senior year Bob enlisted in the Army-Air Force. He flew missions as a radio operator in a B17 with the 34th Bomb Group of the Eighth Air Force stationed in Mendlesham, England. Bob flew in missions over Germany, to Austria where his crew picked up liberated French prisoners, and to Holland where his crew dropped food to the Dutch.

On his return home, Bob entered the University of Wisconsin where he graduated from the School of Business in 1950. Following his graduation Bob began a 42 year career with American Family Insurance Company as an underwriter. He retired as a Regional Operations Director for several states.

Bob married his college sweetheart, Janet Winterhalter, August 23, 1948. They were able to spend 63 years together enjoying each other, family, friends and life.

Bob was an avid sportsman. He cherished the time he spent with friends hunting in Wisconsin and Wyoming, and fishing in Wisconsin and Canada.

Survivors include his wife Janet, his children Steve and Mary (Gary) Gutknecht, his granddaughters Kira (Marty Kennedy) Gutknecht and Leah (Marty) Grosse, great granddaughter Lucca Grosse, brother-in-law Alfred Trumpy, and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Betty Trumpy, and his brother Gene.

A memorial service will be held at Gunderson Funeral Home, 5203 Monona Drive, at 11:00a.m. on Wednesday, May 16, 2012.

Visitation will be held from 9:a.m. until time of service. The Rev. Sandra Schieble will officiate.

Burial will be at Highland Memory Gardens.

Memorials may be made to Agrace Hospice or to Oakwood Village East.