Robert C. Jasna

Robert C. Jasna

Franklin - After a life of service to the children of Milwaukee Public Schools, Robert C. Jasna peacefully passed away after a valiant battle with leukemia on Friday, March 19th at the age of 83. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Judith, his daughters Kirsten (Peirce Clayton) of Los Angeles, CA and Erica (Craig Struble) of San Jose, CA; grandchildren Elias (23, Los Angeles), Sylvie (20, Los Angeles), Parker (15, San Jose), and Larkin (13, San Jose); sister JoAnn (Tozar Marusic, Milwaukee); sisters-in-law Kay (Bob) and Mary; and nieces and nephews throughout Wisconsin and beyond.

A life-long resident of Milwaukee, Bob started his career with Milwaukee Public Schools as a kindergarten student at Walter Allen School in 1943. A 1956 South Division High School graduate - a basketball champion and letterman - Bob attended UWM, earning a B.S. in Education, playing inter-collegiate basketball, having fun with his Kappa brothers, and meeting the love of his life, Judy.

After marrying in Milwaukee in 1960, Bob and Judy moved to Appleton, WI to start their teaching careers. After receiving orders a year later, Bob - a member of the Army ROTC while at UWM - and Judy moved to Ft. Benning, Georgia and then Ft. Hood, Texas where he began as an infantry platoon leader. Bob was honorably discharged from the Army at the rank of 1st Lieutenant in 1963 and received an Army Commendation medal. Bob was active as a Captain with the 128th Infantry of the Wisconsin National Guard and was honorably discharged in 1969.

After his military discharge, Bob held many positions in Milwaukee Public Schools - starting as a ninth grade science teacher at Juneau Junior/Senior High School and Morse Junior High School, basketball and tennis coach, vice-principal, principal, and finally moving to MPS Central Office in 1989 as associate superintendent and becoming deputy superintendent in 1991. Bob retired as the 27th Superintendent of Milwaukee Public Schools in 1997 and began teaching at UW-Milwaukee. He enjoyed being back at the university level, preparing teachers and students to be effective administrators.

A member of many community boards and organizations, Bob received the Distinguished Alumni Award from UW-Milwaukee in 1990. His tenure as the first principal of North Division High School (1976-1980) was especially noted with the award. North was the first Milwaukee-area high school to be desegregated and he worked with both the district and community members to build an environment of inclusion. He was especially proud of his work at North Division. He also served as principal of West Division High School (1973-1976), James Madison High School (1980-1987), and Riverside University High School (1987-1989).

In retirement, Bob spent winters in Florida and summers Up North with Judy. Bob enjoyed working on the cottage, puttering around Star Lake in the pontoon boat, and spending time with good friends. In Florida, he was on the Leftovers champion Bocce Ball team at Country Creek and enjoyed attending art shows and going to musical events at the Barbara Mann in Ft. Myers and Artis in Naples. He and Judy also travelled throughout the United States, often visiting their daughters and grandchildren, who called him Bah. A golfer, Bob enjoyed time on the links in Florida and Milwaukee - though he never got a hole-in-one. For many years Bob had season tickets for the Packers when they played at County Stadium and enjoyed going to see the Brewers play, often taking the Freeway Flyer to the old County Stadium with his daughter and father-in-law. He also enjoyed woodworking, was an accomplished weaver, and read voraciously (crime mysteries were his favorite). He was also hard to keep up with when it came to technology, often having the latest phone, computer, or gadget before the rest of us. And he loved to shop - never passing up a bargain.

Great care was received from Aurora St. Luke's and he enjoyed talking with his many former MPS students over the years that stopped by during his last stay in the hospital. His family enjoyed hearing stories and meeting all those whose lives were touched by his generous spirit.

A celebration of Bob's life will be held this summer to ensure safe gathering; a notice will be posted in the Journal-Sentinel. Giving back to the community was paramount to Bob. In lieu of flowers, please make a gift to: Hunger Task Force, Robert C. Jasna Scholarship for MPS graduates at UW-Milwaukee, your favorite veteran's charity, or Aurora Healthcare Foundation.