Robert W. Dauffenbach

July 26, 1921 - March 19, 2008

Robert W. Dauffenbach, 86, of Lake Mills, died Wednesday, March 19, 2008, at Fort Atkinson Memorial Hospital. He was born in Pewaukee on July 26, 1921, the son of Walter and Sarah (Flynn) Dauffenbach.

He graduated from Waukesha High School in 1939 and then from the Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point. He was commissioned an ensign in the U.S. Naval Reserve.

Bob served his country in the U.S. Navy during World War II from 1942 to 1945. On his first naval voyage, he traveled completely around the world. He sailed to Iran with a load of cargo that was then taken over land to Russia. Bob was in the invasion of Casablanca in North Africa. He was also involved in the invasion of Europe on D-Day. He made several trips to England. In late 1944, he traveled to Australia. He then sailed to Beak in the Netherlands, East Indies. From there he took a troop of Australian soldiers to the Invasion of Burma. In all, he earned four Campaign Ribbons as he served at the various ranks of third, second and first officer on these voyages.

On Nov. 27, 1943, Robert married Frances Wagner in Waukesha. Robert owned and operated the Gamble’s Hardware Store in Fort Atkinson. He later served as a Sentry Insurance agent in Burlington before moving to Lake Mills. Robert was a member of St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lake Mills and worked as a volunteer for the Department of Natural Resources taking water samples from Rock Lake.

He is survived by his wife, Frances Dauffenbach of Lake Mills; his sons, Richard (Penny) Dauffenbach of Burlington, Randy (Marsha) Dauffenbach of Burlington; daughter, Debra Camodeca of Rolling Meadows, Ill.; his Costa Rican son, Dr. Fernando (Gioconda) Garzona-Meseguer of Costa Rica; five grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

Visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. until the 11 a.m. funeral service today, March 22, at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1530 S. Main St., Lake Mills, with the Rev. Bruce McKenney and the Rev. James Rath co-officiating. Burial with military rites will follow in St. Paul’s Lutheran Cemetery, Lake Mills.

Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lake Mills.