Oct. 2, 1925 – Dec. 22, 2010

    Robert Glenn Splies, formerly of Waukesha, found eternal peace at Verde Valley Medical Center in Cottonwood, Ariz., on Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2010. He was 85.
    Bob was born Oct. 2, 1925, in Bird Island, Minn., to the Rev. Frank H. and Florence L. (McKee) Splies. He spent his childhood in Daggett, Mich., Lancaster, Pa., and Lake Auburn, Minn. He attended the University of Minnesota and the University of Wisconsin, ultimately earning a Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of Wisconsin in 1951.
    On June 21, 1952, he married Lorraine M. Grotjahn in Kenosha. Together they lived in Madison, Syracuse, N.Y., and Grand Forks, N.D., before returning to Wisconsin. For more than 25 years he taught organic chemistry at several UW campuses. Upon his retirement in 1988, Bob was awarded professor emeritus status by the UW Board of Regents.
    Bob and Lorraine moved to Cottonwood in 1996, where they enjoyed exploring the West in their RV. In addition to RVing, Bob enjoyed fishing, woodworking, crossword puzzles, math games, performing magic tricks and rooting for the Green Bay Packers, Wisconsin Badgers and Detroit Tigers. He was an active member of Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church.
    In addition to his wife, Bob is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Carolyn and Joe Peil; grandsons, Owen, Shane, Loden, and Riley, all of Waukesha; sister, Jean Fink of Cottonwood; sister-in-law, Norma Splies of Fort Atkinson; and several nephews and nieces.
    He was preceded in death by his parents; infant twin brother, Roger; and brother, the Rev. Richard D. Splies.