Robert Phillip McGrath

Dodgeville – Robert Phillip "Robby" McGrath, age 21, passed away unexpectedly at his home on Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2012. He was always smiling and friendly to all, both young and old, laughing, caring, joking and happy, even though he endured many hardships for a young person; epilepsy when he was little, oral surgery in grade school, major chest surgery in high school, insomnia following and recently a concussion. He never complained and did not want pity. He was born on Feb. 2, 1991 - "my groundhog baby" – in Madison, WI, the son of Mark McGrath and Sandra (Erickson) McGrath Zauner. Robby went to Kindergarten in Sun Prairie and then moved with his parents to Dodgeville to start a new life in the local area with Grandma Shirley in Ridgeway and Grandparents in Prairie Du Chien. Robby started first grade in Dodgeville and graduated from Dodgeville High School in 2009. He made many friends that have remained close to this day. He loved facts and enjoyed music, particularly from the 1970's. He was a talented artist, designing and painting the border on a project done by him and others in an art club in fourth and fifth grade. The clay elephant is forever on the wall in Dodgeville Elementary School. Following high school, Robby worked for Maple Leaf Landscaping. Working with surgically implanted bars in his chest, he never complained about the lifting or cold while working 12 to 17 hours at a time during snowstorms. Two days after having surgery to remove the bars, "Rob" started working at Wal-Mart as a cashier and was quickly moving up the ladder while working in the customer service and returns department and being the fastest cashier, was to be trained for the next position when the concussion occurred, causing complications that took our Robby into eternal peace. Please say a prayer for him. Robby loved his entire family and his many friends. Robby is survived by his mother and stepfather, Sandy and John Zauner of Dodgeville, WI, his father and stepmother Mark and Barb McGrath of Monona, WI, His special grandmother Shirley Erickson of Ridgeway, WI, Aunt Karen and uncle John Malsch, and cousins Kelly and Roger of Madison, WI, uncle Mike and aunt Darlene McGrath, and cousin Derrick of Louisville, KY, uncle Steve and aunt Dawn McGrath, and cousins Chris and Nick of Indianapolis, IN, uncle Jim and aunt Caroline McGrath, and cousins Sean and Ryan, Prairie Du Chien, WI, and other relatives and friends. He is preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, Phillip "Phil" Erickson and his paternal grandparents Eugene "Gene" and Beatrice "Bea" McGrath. A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, December 3, 2012 at PLYMOUTH CONGREGATIONAL UCC in Dodgeville, WI. Pastor Daniel Yeazel and Brother Scott Wallace will co-officiate. Friends may call from 2:00 until 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012 at the GORGEN-MCGINLEY & AYERS FUNERAL HOME in Dodgeville, WI and from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services on Monday at the church. A burial will be held at a later date. Many of us are thankful for the wonderful young person Robby was. His memory will live on strong within us. Robby would want us to be happy that we had him with us instead of sad that we will miss him so deeply.