Robert Clarence Washburn

Robert Clarence Washburn (Bob), 95, of Stone Bank, Wisconsin, passed away on March 8, 2022, holding hands with his wife of 73 years, Ethelou, and surrounded by his 5 children. Bob was born to parents Lester and Nevah Washburn, on February 9th, 1927, in Lansing, Michigan. He graduated from Hartland High School, class of 1945. He enlisted in the US Army in 1945, and served in the Occupation and Reconstruction Force in Japan. When he returned home after his service, he married his high school sweetheart, Ethelou Gunderson. Bob and Ethelou had 5 children - Jeffrey, James, John, Jerry, and Jill, 12 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren. Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Lester and Nevah, and also by his two sisters, Beverly and Jerilyn. Bob became a Rural Route Mail Carrier for the US Postal District in Nashotah, Wisconsin, and then went into business starting Washburn’s Foods grocery store in Stone Bank, Wisconsin. Later he worked for AquaChem , a seawater desalination company. He then worked for the State of Wisconsin as a food and dairy inspector. He was a long time member of the Stone Bank Volunteer Fire Department and both he and Ethelou served as EMTs for the department for nearly 30 years. Bob was a proud World War II Veteran, as well as an active and passionate humanitarian. He lived every day focussed on others. He lived with humility, generosity, respect, empathy, and most of all kindness, every day! His spirit was contagious and uplifting. He was a Day Maker and a great soul! To know him was to love him! The family has entrusted Pagenkopf Funeral Home of Oconomowoc with the arrangements. Visitation and funeral services are scheduled for Friday, March 18th at 10 o’clock am at Kettle Moraine United Presbyterian Church N66 W32690 CTHK, Hartland, WI 53029, Pastor Matt Lee will officiate.