ROBERT "BOB" MOREN

Robert "Bob" Moren, age 86, of Madison, WI, passed away on November 22, 2023, after an aggressive, proactive fight with rare Stage IV bile duct cancer. Born on the 4th of July in 1937, at Swedish American Hospital in Rockford, IL, Bob was the eldest child of Robert William Moren and Alice Cecily Cox. He grew up among family, friends, and a strong community in Freeport, IL. Throughout childhood, Bob forged a strong relationship with his brother, William "Bill." Bob enrolled at Florida State University in 1955, played basketball, and earned a bachelor's degree in journalism in 1960. After graduating from FSU, he joined the United States Coast Guard Reserve Program to fulfill his military obligation. Bob had six months of active duty and six years of functional reserve training. He proudly served his nation and represented the USCG at the inauguration of President John F. Kennedy. In September of 1963, Bob met the love of his life, Colleen McCafferty, in Silvermine, CT, where Colleen worked as an elementary school teacher in Fairfield County. Eleven months later, they married in Westport, CT, on August 22, 1964. After marrying, they moved to Des Plaines, IL, where Bob began his career in plastic packaging. Bob and Colleen were lucky to welcome four children into their world: Michael Scott in 1965, Amy Eileen and Andrea Lynn in 1967, and Amanda Elizabeth in 1968. Bob served as a coach and mentor for his children, even serving as the athletic director of their children's elementary school, St. Raymond School of Mount Prospect, IL. The Moren family was active in the Mount Prospect community, often with Bob leading the way. Later in life, Bob and Colleen moved their home to Stoughton, WI, residing on Lake Kegonsa, where they found new adventures and lifelong friends. As an avid sports fan, Bob supported his favorite Chicago teams, Florida State University, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Stoughton High School, and Loras College. He cheered on his grandson, Malcolm, who played soccer at the collegiate level for Loras College. Bob was Malcolm's biggest fan. He was the proud grandfather of eleven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his grandparents, Hildur Moren and Robert Abel Moren of Sweden and Amy Anna Saunders Cox and Harvey Cox of Montezuma, IA; parents, Alice Cecily Cox Moren and Robert William Moren of Freeport, IL; and his beloved wife of 50 years, Colleen McCafferty Moren. He is survived by his brother and close friend, Bill (Pat) Moren of Port Washington, WI; loving children, Michael (Kathleen Fahey) Moren of Warwick, RI, Amy (Timothy) Moren Kenesey of Cassopolis, MI, Anne (Michael) Moren Riley of Daniel Island, SC, and Amanda (Richard Henderson) Moren of Madison, WI; adoring grandchildren, Malcolm (Marni Schumaker) Calbert, Grace (Quinn) Kenesey Kilpatrick, Hugh Moren, Dan (Jackie) Moren, Anne "Oe" (Kyle) Kenesey Gurrola, Jackson (Diana) Riley, Maria "Lily" (Patrick) Kenesey O'Shea, Michael Moren, William Riley, Kerrianne Riley, and Timothy Moren; great-grandchildren, Brady and Eileen Kilpatrick and Louis and William Gurrola; niece, Emily (Joe) Moren Higgins; and great-nieces, Rylee and Grace Higgins. Visitation for Bob will be on Saturday, December 9, 2023, from 4-5:30pm, with a service to follow at 5:30pm, at Cress Funeral Home, 206 West Prospect, Stoughton. A private burial service will be in January at Oakhill Cemetery in Freeport, IL, followed by a party celebrating Bob's life. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to UW Carbone Cancer Center Innovation Fund (cancer.wisc.edu/uw-carbone-cancer-center-innovation-fund/). Please share your memories of Bob by posting in his guestbook at www.CressFuneralService.com. Cress Funeral Services, 206 W. Prospect Street, PO Box 231, Stoughton, WI, 53589, 608-873-9244.