Robert L. Hampton

HAMPTON, Robert L.

Robert Leon Hampton, 75, of Onalaska died Friday, Aug 9^th, 2013, surrounded by his wife & family. He was born June 23, 1938 in LaCrosse to Leon and Lorine (Wrobel) Hampton. He graduated from Central High School in 1956. He joined the U.S. Air Force in April of 1957. He spent 3 years in Empire, Michigan and 1 year in Alaska. He worked for Trane Company for 41 years; sixteen years in Engineering and 25 years as a Buyer in Purchasing. He retired from Trane in May, 2001, and was a member of the Trane 25 Year Club and the local Moose Club. In 1987 he met the love of his life, Mary Ellen (Gautsch, Krueger) and they married April 7^th, 1991.

He was preceded in death by his Father and Mother, Sisters, Lois (Jim) Butterfield and Rita (Larry) Robertson, and a nephew, Andy Butterfield.

He is survived by his wife Mary Ellen, son Jeffry (Korina) Hampton and daughter Lori (James) Sculati. Four grandchildren, Rachel, Amanda, and Elizabeth Hampton and Abby Sculati. Five stepchildren, Susan (Bruce) Greer, Debra (Todd) Delagrave, Sandee Hegy, Robert (Amy) Krueger,and Jean Sye. Eleven step -grandchildren , Kevin, Andrew and Michael Greer, Mollie (Jessie)Vichich, Kayla, Dylan, and Olivia Delagrave, Megan Hegy, Victoria and Ethan Krueger, and Alexis Sye. He is also survived by his sister, Ardelle (Robert) Dammon, family friend Dale Hegy and his good friend Richard Herlitzka, “ Come on to heaven with me Dick, I’ll beat you at a round of golf!”

Bob was an avid Green Bay Packers and Milwaukee Brewers fan. He loved golfing and was proud that he did have two holes in one, but his true love was playing cards (quite competitively too). Bob was probably born with a deck of cards in his hands. He would play anytime, any game , anywhere. Bob played “TEXAS HOLD’EM” tournaments almost every night up until his cancer forced him to stop playing.

Bob was an easy going and caring husband, father, brother and “PAPA” to the grandkids.

After Bob and Mary Ellen retired, they traveled for three months each winter, racking up 10,000 miles a year sightseeing every State in the U.S. They also toured in Europe, United Kingdom, Aruba, Hawaii, Mexico, and the Caribbean.

A funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 AM Wednesday, August 14, 2013, in Roncalli Newman Center, 1732 State St., La Crosse, Wis. Rev. James Kurzynski will officiate with burial with Military Rites by the Struck-Klandrud Post No. 336 – Onalaska American Legion, in the Gate of Heaven Cemetery, La Crosse, Wis. Family and friends may call from 4 to 7:00 PM on Tuesday at the Blaschke & Schneider Funeral Home, 1501 West Ave. So., La Crosse, Wis., with a Vigil Service to be held at 6:30 PM. Family and friends may also call from 9:00 AM until the time of Mass in the Roncalli Newman Center on Wednesday.

Bob’s family would like to thank all our family and friends for all the bedside visits, prayers and concerns they showed Bob, plus great appreciation to the Hospice unit at Gunderson Health System for all their help and care they gave Bob.