Robert D. Safford

Robert D. Safford died on February 9, 2024, at the age of 94 in Appleton, WI. 

He was born in Tracy, MN on June 29, 1929, to Paul F. and Esther B. (Phillips) Safford.  

Robert moved with the family to Brookings, SD at age 2 for one year and then to Huron, SD. He graduated from Huron High School in 1947 and then attended the University of Wisconsin Madison on a Navy Scholarship.  Robert was active in athletics in high school and participated in track and cross-country at the University.  

Robert married Lucille B. Good in the Methodist Church in LaValle, WI on June 15, 1949.  

He graduated from the University in June of 1951 with a BS in Civil Engineering and BNS degree.  He also received a commission as an Ensign in the US Navy and was assigned to an ammunition supply ship and spend part of three years in the Korean Contract Zone.   Robert was released from active duty in June of 1954 and participated in the Nava Reserve for another 10 years.   Robert accepted a job as an engineer working for Kimberly Clark Corporation in Neenah, WI and moved his wife and two sons, Glen and David to Appleton.

Robert and his family did a lot of moving which included working 15 years outside of the USA in 7 different countries.  Robert retired in June of 1991 after working 37 years for Kimberly Clark.  He continued consulting work after retiring which involved working about 11 months in 4 countries. 

Hobbies included golf, photography, ballroom dancing, wood working and traveling.  Robert and Lucille are member of Traveler’s Century Club and they have visited 171 country destinations.  And with all the moving have owned 6 houses and had 37 permanent address changes.  

Robert was elected as an Alderman on the Appleton Common Council in 1972.  He also went on an Honor Flight to Washington, DC on September 3, 2015.  Robert and Lucille have been associated with many churches with all their travels and now are member of the First United Methodist Church of Appleton.  Robert was a Mason and a Shriner.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents and sister Donna Mae Landes.  

He is survived by his wife Lucille (74 years) of Appleton; two children: Glen (Dinah) Safford of LaValle, WI, David (Partner Robin) Safford of Carmel, NY; five grandchildren Tom Safford of Davenport, IA, Rachel (Jeremy) Hulsey of Middleton, WI, Paul (Tracy) Safford of Austin, TX, Laura (Eric) Safford of Seattle, WA and Kristen Safford of Norfolk, VA.  Three great grandchildren; Rose, Camille and Benjamin Hulsey.

A memorial service will be held Friday, February 16, 2024, at 11:00 am at Wichmann Funeral Home (537 N. Superior St., Appleton, WI 54911).   Friends will be received at the funeral home from 10:00 am until the time of service.  Interment will be in the Oaks Cemetery in Valton, WI.

In lieu of flowers a memorial many be given to the Appleton Shriner Club and proceeds will go to the Shriner Children's Hospital (Shriner’s Hospital for Children, 2211 North Oak Park Avenue Chicago, IL 60707.)