Dr. Robert A. Bonebrake

MADISON -- Robert (""Bob"") Alan Bonebrake, husband, father, grandfather, friend and physician, age 70, passed away in the company of his family at his home in Madison on Tuesday, October 7, 2008 , after a lengthy battle with prostate cancer. He was born on April 30, 1938 , in Chicago, son of Dr. Harold and Nancy (Hamerin) Bonebrake. Bob graduated from Niles Township High School in 1955 as valedictorian, and went on to study at Carleton College in Northfield , Minnesota , along with his brother Dan and his cousins Gill and Doug Bonebrake. At Carleton, Bob was a member of the Varsity Football and Wrestling teams and a founding member of the a cappella group ""The Knights of Carleton"", graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1959. He then attended Northwestern University Medical School , Chicago IL , where he met and, upon graduation, married the love of his life, Sandra Beth Garretty in 1963. From 1963-64 Bob interned at the University of Oregon hospital in Portland , OR , and then completed his residency at the Mayo Clinic, Rochester , MN in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology (1964-68). During this time he also was an NIH Fellow (1967-68) and earned a Master's of Science degree in Internal Medicine and Biochemistry from the University of Minnesota . Upon completing his residency Bob served in the U.S. Navy at Great Lakes Naval Hospital from 1968-1970, achieving the rank of Lieutenant Commander. In 1970 Bob and Beth moved to Madison , WI where he began work as a Rheumatologist with the Jackson Clinic (1970-1987), which through mergers led to his subsequent work with Physicians Plus (1988-2001), at which time he retired. During his career he was also a Clinical Professor of Medicine at the University of Wisconsin . Among his professional leadership roles, Bob served as President of the Jackson Foundation Board, President of the American Society of Clinical Rheumatology (1994-1996), Chairman of the Board of Directors of Physicians Plus Medical Group (1993-1995), Member of the Board of Directors of the Physicians Plus Medical Group (1986-1995) and Member of the Board of Directors of the Wisconsin Arthritis Foundation (1975-1991). Bob had a strong faith in God and many friends at Asbury United Methodist Church . He served as Chairman of the Staff Parish committee for Asbury from 2003-2006 and with his love of music, was an active participant in the choir. Bob's defining characteristics were his never-ending optimism, kind hearted good nature, sharp intelligence, and unconditional love for his family and friends. He had many diverse interests which defined these traits. Bob was an avid Walleye and Smallmouth Bass fisherman, visiting the northern Minnesota Boundary Waters / Quetico Provincial Park twice per year almost his entire life, first with his parents and then with his children. He also was a passionate gardener, maintaining two large vegetable gardens, a Koi pond, and a complex backyard landscape. Other interests included playing tennis with his buddies and participating in bridge clubs with his dear friends and neighbors. He and Beth loved to travel with friends and on those trips Bob frequently incorporated his videography skills, making travelogs and producing over 80 Bonebrake family videos and acting as the unofficial historian of the Bonebrake family genealogy. Bob is survived by his wife, Beth; his three children, Michael, Kevin, and Kimberly (Peter) Graper, his two granddaughters Ella and Emily; his brother Dan (Carol) Bonebrake, his Golden Retriever Casey and a dozen pet Koi. Special thanks to Dr. Jim Giesen and Dr. Mark Ritter for their compassionate care. A VISITATION will be held on Monday, October 13, 2008 , ( 4-7pm ) at the CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 3610 Speedway Road , Madison , WI . A MEMOIRAL SERVICE will follow on Tuesday, October 14, 2008 , at 11am with visitation at 10am at ASBURY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, 6101 University Ave. , Madison , WI with a private interment to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the University of Wisconsin Paul Carbone Comprehensive Cancer Center, 600 Highland Ave. , K4/658, Madison , WI 53792-6164 . Donations may also be made on-line at http://www.cancer.wisc.edu/uwccc/donations_form.asp .
Please indicate ""prostate cancer"" as the specific area of research for which the donation is intended.