Robert "Bob" B. Breese

Robert Bruce Breese (Bob) died peacefully on Saturday, November 26th at Avalon Square in Waukesha, Wisconsin. He was 88 years old.

Bob was born and raised in Waukesha. He graduated from Waukesha High School in 1946, having excelled in swimming and tennis. He earned a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree from the University of Wisconsin in 1951, and the same year moved to Chicago to take a job with the Continental Illinois Bank. It was in Chicago that Bob met the love of his life, Joanne Bentley Wall. They were married in 1952 in Joanne’s family home on Lake Winnebago in Oshkosh, Wisconsin and celebrated 50 years of marriage together before Joanne’s death in 2003.

Bob and Joanne gave birth to their son, John, in Evanston, Illinois before moving to Waukesha in 1953. Their two daughters, Jennifer and Emily, were born in Waukesha.
Bob enjoyed a long career with the Marshall and Ilsley Bank in Milwaukee, retiring in 1991. He was a proud member of both the Waukesha Golden K Kiwanis Club and the Waukesha County St. David’s Society. He was also a member of the St. Matthias Church congregation.

Bob was preceded in death by his adored older brother, John Clinton Breese (Jack), his parents, Charlotte Bruce Breese and Clinton Samuel Breese, and his beloved wife, Joanne Wall Breese.

He is survived by his dear sister, Margaret Breese Kilpatrick of Waukesha. He is also survived by his loving children, John Breese (Mary Sweval) of Bayfield, Wisconsin; Jennifer Breese MacLeod (Keith) of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada and Emily Breese of Waukesha.

Bob is further survived by his five grandchildren, who grew up affectionately calling him “Bobby”: Andrew Breese (Erika) of Melbourne, Florida; Rachel Breese Roloff (Terrance) of Fremont, Wisconsin; Jack Breese (Brittney Tovar) of Oshkosh, Wisconsin; Heather MacLeod of Brooklyn, New York and Bronwyn MacLeod of Santa Cruz, California.

Bob was the proud great-grandfather of Hailey Breese and Lia Roloff.

Bob is also survived by his nieces and nephews, whom he loved and cherished.

Bob was a man of indescribable and incomparable kindness, warmth, generosity and good humor. His smile was legendary, his jokes painfully corny. He was extraordinarily compassionate, considerate and giving. His gentle temperament never faded, and we are so very grateful for his love. He touched the lives of all who knew him, and he was a true gentleman.

The family would like to thank the staff of Avalon Square for their outstanding care and compassion over these past few years. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation in Bob’s memory to Avalon Square, 222 Park Place, Waukesha, Wisconsin 53186.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, January 14, 2017 from 12:30 p.m. until the time of the 2:00 p.m. memorial service at St. Matthias Episcopal Church, 111 E. Main Street, Waukesha, WI 53186. The Rev. David Simmons and Rev. Erin Hittle will preside. Inurnment will take place in the church columbarium. A reception will follow at Avalon Square.