Robert Brigham

He who walked the straight and narrow path, guided by compassion, civility, generosity, law and righteousness, Robert Horatio Brigham, passed away at St. Mary's Hospital on the April 2nd, 2016. He is survived by his loving family, the incomparable Iris (McDonald) wife of 62 years, to whom he was her lover and her best friend, twas the beginning - twas the end, lovingly they kissed goodbye - then, quietly, he slipped away - into the arms of Jesus. His steadfast son is John Robert (wife Mary Wandtke), decorous eldest daughter is Jill Iris, and the tempestuous twins are Mary Bess (husband Steven Banovetz) and Martha McDonald. His good-natured grandchildren are Steven Banovetz Jr., Zehara Brigham-Oakley, Filagot Brigham-Oakley, and Victor Banovetz. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, friends and family.

Born June 22, 1923 on a dairy farm in Town of Burke, Dane County, to parents Horatio M. & Clara M. (Vahlen) Brigham, Robert grew up with his brother: Stephen J. of Columbus, OH (now deceased) and sister Jean A. Lee of Albuquerque, NM. He attended Sunnyside Elementary School, Madison East High (Class of 1941) and the UW-Madison, where he earned a degree in Law, and became a Member of UW-Madison Boxing Team & received Major "W." He practiced law on the East Side of Madison (Union Corners) from January 1951 to July 1, 2007 and remained Of Counsel until 2010. He belonged to the Dane County & WI Bar Associations, was a member of Plymouth Congregational Church, Elks Lodge 410, and Eastside Club.

Service in the Military was both professionally and personally rewarding to Robert. His active Military Services included World War II (February 10, 1943 - August 1946), Army Infantry, Enlisted and commissioned oversees; Philippine Islands and Japan. He attended four Army Schools: Infantry OCS, Command & General Staff College, Industrial College of Armed Forces, and The Army War College. Stories of his strenuous training camp on the Hearst Ranch, an Infantry landing on the shores of Honshu, traveling by train with pistol and handcuffed briefcase, captivated and awed his children. He remained with the Army Reserve from 1946 to 1975 and retired as Colonel. His fellow officers and soldiers shared with him a life long bond and friendship.

Golf. Robert's passion for this pastime started in 1939 during High School when he took a job as a caddy at Maple Bluff Country Club. Caddies at the time were permitted to play a round on Mondays and that was the beginning of a complete emersion in the sport, even enlisting his farm girl wife in this crazy course of action. Palm Desert, CA became an anticipated golf destination and family gathering in later years enjoyed by his children and grandchildren.

Robert will be remembered for many things including, but not limited to;
his unwavering record keeping of his children's sporting events, invariably running over the flowers when mowing, resting his eyes at stop lights during long trips, writing tender and humorous poems for his wife, and never missing a Badger football game in over 60 years. His kindness and generosity irrevocably touched and transformed his family and friends.

At his request, there will be no visitation or funeral. A private Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Home Health United, St. Mary's Hospital nurses and doctors and Cress Funeral Home.

Cress Funeral & Cremation Service
3325 E. Washington Ave.
Madison, WI 53704