Robert B. Pick, age 91, of West Bend, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Saturday October 6, 2007 at the Cedar Lake Health Care Center, West Bend.
He was born on January 23, 1916 in West Bend to the late local businessman Carl S. and Maybelle (nee Bredette) Pick. He attended Elm Street Grade School and graduated from West Bend High School in the class of 1934. He then attended the University of Notre Dame and graduated in 1938 with a Degree in Business Administration. Bob played basketball at Notre Dame and has always remained a devoted Notre Dame football fan. After college Bob returned to West Bend and joined Pick Manufacturing Company, the family automotive parts business, and was employed there until it was sold in 1966. He then spent time at the Koering Company, in Port Washington, where he worked until retiring in 1978.
Bob's greatest fortune was to have met his sister's Rollins College roommate, Lois Montague of South Orange, New Jersey, and on June 12, 1940 they were united in marriage in Maplewood, New Jersey. They made their home in West Bend and shared over half a century raising their family.
Bob was a life member of St. James Episcopal Church. He was involved in many civic organizations, including the West Bend Recreation Commission, planning commission, and the Cedar Lake Sanitary District. Few residents were better known or knew more about the city. He was a member and past president of the West Bend Country Club, and was the association's champion on several occasions. He was also a member of the West Bend Moose Lodge. Bob spent many years handing out the Pick Scholarships, which his father started in 1928, to the best boy and girl athlete at the high school and UWWC. Bob was an avid sportsman, passionate about golf and hunting as a younger man.
He traveled extensively, visiting all 50 states and several foreign countries, lived for a short time in Florida, but was never truly content anywhere but West Bend. As a child, he loved spending summers at his family's cottage on Big Cedar Lake, where he and Lois honeymooned. In 1955 they purchased their own summer home on the lake that was rebuilt to become their year round dwelling from 1973 to 1994. It was fitting that when Bob needed assistance in living, he moved into Cedar Community near his beloved lake where he lived out his full life.
He is survived by his wife, Lois; three children, Robert B. Pick II of West Bend, Suzanne Leto of Carpentersville, IL, and Carl "Cappy" (Barbara) Pick of Honolulu, HI; four grandchildren, Anthony Pick, Amy (Christopher) O'Neal, Timothy (Sara) Leto, and Robert B. Pick III; seven great-grandchildren, Zachary, Anthony, and Hunter Pick, Declan, Liam, and Teah O'Neal, and Emma Leto; two sisters, Mary Pick-Steiner of Sun City West, AZ, and Bonnie Pick of Oak Park, IL; other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Jenny Rose Pick; a son, Andrew Pick; two sisters, Suzanne Pick-Wells, and Maybelle Pick-Hill; and a brother, Alan Pick.
A Mass of the Resurrection to celebrate Bob's life will be held on Saturday, October 13th at 12:00 (noon) at St. James Episcopal Church (148 S. 8th Ave.). Fr. Kevin Carroll will be the celebrant. Visitation will be Saturday at the church only on from 10:00 am until the time of Mass. A reception to share memories will follow. Inurnment will be in Washington County Memorial Park. Memorials to the Jenny Rose Pick Camp Webb Memorial Fund are appreciated.