Dr. Robert Frederick Damm
Dr. Robert Frederick Damm, 84, of Medford, passed away Monday, Nov. 11, surrounded by family at Aspirus Care and Rehab under the care of Hope Hospice.
Robert “Big Bob” Damm was born on April 19, 1940, to Albert and Jane (Watterston) Damm in Owen. He grew up on a small farm south of Stetsonville and graduated from Medford Area Senior High in 1958.
From 1961 to 1964, Big Bob served in the United States Marine Corps. He earned the Rifle Expert badge each year he served and was also a recipient of the Meritorious Mast award, which recognizes noteworthy personal performance.
Following his military service, Big Bob commenced a career in academia. He finished a BA at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1964, completed an MA from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1966, and earned a Ph.D in English Literature from Miami of Ohio in 1970. He taught at Lincoln College in Illinois, Miami of Ohio at Oxford, Miami of Ohio at Hamilton,
1940-2024
Saskatchewan University in Canada, Lakeland College in Chippewa Falls, and at University of WI Systems in Eau Claire. Along with teaching, Big Bob had published works in English and the humanities.
In addition to his interest in academics, Big Bob possessed a lifelong passion for agriculture. He was a registered Holstein dairy farmer from 1972 to 1985. He also worked as a Dairy Herd Improvement Association manager in Pennsylvania, in Colby, and in Iowa. He belonged to and served on boards of directors for several cooperatives, including the Medford Cooperative and 21st Century Genetics.
In his free time, Big Bob enjoyed reading, pulling antique tractors, and working on his family’s farm.
Big Bob is preceded in death by his siblings Donald Damm, Betty (Marvin) Ingersoll, Thelma Olson, Albert Damm, sister-in-law Grace Rudolph, and brothers-inlaw James Deahl and Patrick Volpert. He is survived by Judith Damm (spouse); children Robert “Fuzz” Damm and Brenda (Marcus) Murphy; grandchildren Tahtankka, Saskatoon, and Shoshanah Damm; siblings George (Nancy) Damm, Alfred Damm; and brothers-in-law Russell Rudolph and Galen Olson. Big Bob requested no funeral services be held. Mid-Wisconsin Cremation Society at Schofield assisted the family.
Paid Obituary 161634
