Robert L. Pagel, Sr.

PAGEL - Robert Lyle, Sr. Age 70. Died peacefully on September 19, 2006, at his home in Mequon, Wisconsin surrounded by family members. He waged a four year battle against brain cancer with dignity and courage. Bob married the love of his life, Olivia Jean Lambert, on July 2, 1955, in Paris, WI. And so began a fifty-one year marriage of passion, love, and commitment. They raised four children and lived in Port Washington, Kenosha, Grafton, Marion, Mequon, WI, Sioux City, IA, and Billings MT. Bob and Jean owned three Shell Oil gasoline stations in Kenosha in 1966 when a stockbroker named Jim Meyers convinced Bob to join him as a sales trainee in the Kenosha office of Loewi Financial Companies, Ltd. He proved to be one of the top producers for the company as it grew into a leading regional brokerage firm. Bob was a talented salesman and charismatic leader. He was named Vice President in 1971, elected to the board of directors in 1977 and became President in 1980. He was named the company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer in 1982, the same year Kemper Corporation purchased it. He remained loyal and dedicated to the success of the company until July 1985 when he retired at the age of 49. Bob was lured out of early retirement in late 1986 to become President and Co-Chief Executive Officer of Super Sky International, Mequon, WI, a leading designer and manufacturer of skylight systems. Super Sky was sold in 1987. In 1988 Bob was named President of Fan Fair Corporation, a nationwide chain of Merle Harmon’s Fan Fair stores. He ended his business career in 1991 as President and Co-CEO of Diana Corporation, Milwaukee, WI. Bob was proud to serve as a member of the board of directors of Associated Bank, Green Bay, WI and PLM International, San Francisco, CA. He was a member of many clubs, including Safari Club International, The National Rifle Association, The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Pheasants Forever, Ducks Unlimited, The Ruffed Grouse Society, Great Lakes Sportfishers Club, The Highlands Sportsmen’s Club, and Saukville Rifle & Pistol Club. He was a crack shot with both rifle and shotgun, winning the Wisconsin State Trap title several times in the 1970s. He was also a private pilot. Bob was a founding member of the Foundation for North American Wild Sheep and an official scorer and member of the Boone & Crockett Club and Pope & Young Club. Bob’s great passion in life was his family. He believed the greatest gift a dad could give his family was time, and Bob happily gave boat loads of it. He spent countless hours hunting and fishing with his wife, children and grandchildren. Grandpa Bob will be especially missed during the hunting season. He will be with us in spirit. One of his greatest thrills was watching grandsons Kyle and David each take two trophy whitetail bucks on Opening Day of the 2005 Gun Deer season. Survivors include his wife, Olivia Jean Pagel, daughter Deborah Ott Steve, and sons Robert, Jr., David Anne, and Dr. Christopher Pagel. He will be greatly missed by his grandchildren Stacy, Jesse, Madeline, Halee, David and Kyle. He is further survived by his brother, Wayne Norma Pagel. He was preceded in death by his mother, Martha Gascoigne, and father, George Pagel. Bob wished to thank his close friends, TJ and Ann Sommer, Bill Reas, Gus Rankey, Harvey and Joan Salger, Jay and Joan Lieberman, Mike and Brenda Eernisee, Dan and Liz Cornelius, Glenn and Nancy Lundt, Merle and Jeanette Harmon, Larry and Sheila Hisle, Traudl Messer, and George Schwartz. The family wishes to thank the kind and caring staff of Horizon Home Health and Hospice Care for their ability to enable Bob to remain at home during his final two months. It meant a great deal to him. A private family visitation and burial was held at Resurrection Cemetery, Mequon, WI. Memorials to the charity of your choice. Yes! What a journey!