Robert J. "Bob" Demgen

Robert J. 'Bob' Demgen, 86, of Superior and Solon Springs, died on Thursday, Dec. 16, at the Beverly Health and Rehabilitation Center. He was born in Hibbing, Minn., on Oct. 4, 1918, to John W. and Julia (Fahey) Demgen. He graduated from Hibbing High School, Hibbing Junior College, and Bradley University, where he was a member of the 1940 national champion basketball team. Bob was a World War II veteran, serving as Captain in the Army Corps of Engineers. After the war, he settled in Superior. He married Emily Ann Campbell on Oct. 11, 1947, in Holy Assumption Church, and they had two daughters. He was associated with the Wisconsin State Bank, now part of the M&I Bank, and Secretary/Treasurer of the Wisconsin State Insurance Agency. Bob's organizational activities included President of the Superior Chamber of Commerce, Faithful Navigator of the Knights of Columbus 4th Degree, and President of the Superior Association of Independent Insurance Agents. He served on the WJBR advisory board, the Board of Superior Memorial Hospital and as a Trustee of the Douglas County Healthcare Institutions. He was a member of the Elks Club and the VFW and a Parishioner at Cathedral of Christ the King in Superior and St. Pius X in Solon Springs. Bob loved golfing, curling, and watching Minnesota Vikings and Notre Dame football. Preceding him in death were his parents and brothers Francis, Jim, Ralph, John, and Gerard. He is survived by his wife Emily and their daughters, Julie A. of Newark, Del., and Sara Garfield of Stockton, Calif.; granddaughters Jennifer (Gary) Sleppy and Jaime (Ryan) Matthews of Sacramento, Calif.; his sister, Mary Gibney, of Buffalo, Minn.; and several nieces and nephews. SERVICES:11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 21, at Holy Assumption Church, where friends may call from 10-11 a.m. Burial will be private, with military rites accorded by the Thomas F. Stein VFW Post 1091. Active pallbearers will be Mark Frodesen, Peter Banks, Jim Banks, Jim Tracy, Milt Bounting, and John Murphy. Honorary pallbearers will be Lew Martin, Glenn Darst, and members of the 4th Degree Knights of Columbus. Memorials may be made to the Douglas County Historical Society, 1101 John Ave., Superior; the Robert J. Demgen Fund at the University of Wisconsin-Superior, c/o the UW-Superior Foundation, Inc., PO Box 2000, Superior, WI, 54880-4500; or the Transitional Learning Center School for Homeless Children, 545 W. Sonora, Stockton, CA, 95203. The Demgen Family wishes to thank Dr. Gene Karwoski and the dedicated staff at the Beverly for their wonderful care. Downs Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements.