Robert J. Courtney

Robert James Courtney, age 99, of Kaukauna, Wisconsin, passed away on Sunday morning, January 26, 2014, at the Horizon Lawlis Family Hospice in Mequon, Wisconsin. Robert was born on October 6, 1914 in Kaukauna, the son of the late Michael and Lena (Green) Courtney. Robert graduated from Lawrence University in 1941 with a degree in chemistry. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1940 and became a flying cadet and served as a navigator during World War II, retiring in 1974 as a Lt. Colonel in the U.S. Air Force. He really wanted to pursue a graduate degree after leaving active duty, but his children came first. He joined Combined Locks Paper Mill in Kaukauna, Wisconsin in 1946, retiring in February of 1979 as the Pulp Mill and Wood Yard Superintendent. However, education remained very important to him and he made sure that all of his children completed at least a bachelor's degree, and several pursued advanced degrees.

Robert loved gardening and maintained a huge vegetable garden, the produce from which he shared with his family – except for the corn – that he shared with the raccoons who always scaled the fence and ate it the night before he was going to pick it. He spent much of his free time at his cottage on the Fox River – first teaching his children, nieces and nephews, and their many friends how to water ski (with some time allocated for the “over 50 age” group), and then canoeing and pontooning up and down the river seeking out the wild life and rescuing fallen timbers from the water. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 1033 since 1936. He was also a Green Bay Packer owner and attended the first Super Bowl as well as the Ice Bowl.

Robert will be lovingly remembered by his surviving children and step-children: Jim (Ann) Courtney, Matthew Courtney, Thomas (Linda Anderson-Courtney) Courtney, Daniel (Gale) Courtney, John (Ginnie) Courtney, Eileen Courtney, Robert (Mary McPhail) Courtney, Pat Westphal, Mary (Tim) Peterson, and Joe (Cindy) May, and son-in-law Marvin (JoeAnn) Weber. His grandchildren are numerous and include Kathy (Rich) Chioni, Susan Weber, Christopher (Carly) Courtney, Michael (Danielle) Courtney, Sarah (Jeremiah) Brooks, Marie (Dan) LaVelle, Ryan Courtney, Michael Courtney, Max Courtney, Ann (Bill) Fleischman, Sarah Westphal, Samantha May, Jamie May, Raquel (Edward) West, John H. (Amy) Briggs, Jessup Roerig, and Stacey (Pete) Mitchell. He was also the proud grandfather of handfuls of great-grandchildren. And thanks to the Courtney, Biersteker, and Kelley nieces and nephews and other friends and relatives, much joy was added to his life.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Lucille (Killian) in 1956, his second wife, Ethel (May) in 1998, his daughters Jane Courtney and Margaret (Weber), brothers Melvin and John, and sisters Margaret, Frances, Lucille and Eileen.

A memorial funeral liturgy for Robert will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, March 29, 2014 at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 309 Desnoyer Street in Kaukauna. Fr. Tom Pomeroy will officiate, and burial will take place at Holy Cross Cemetery. Family and friends are invited to gather at the church on Saturday, March 29, from 9:00 AM until the time of the service.

The family wishes to acknowledge the extraordinary care given to Robert (and visiting family members) by the staff of Horizon Lawlis Family Hospice at Columbia St. Mary's Hospital – Ozaukee. Donations can be given in Robert's name to Holy Cross Elementary School, 220 Doty Street, Kaukauna, Wisconsin 54130.