Robert L. Ficken

Robert L. Ficken, age 85, of Madison, passed away on Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2009, at All Saints Assisted Living in Madison. He was born on Mar. 6, 1924, in Colfax, IL, the son of Claus and Helen (Parmele) Ficken. Bob graduated from Burlington (WI) HS and UW-Madison. During WW II, he served in the Army Air Corps as a B29 navigator after training at Carleton College (MN). Bob had several occupations: business instructor at UW-Milwaukee, manager of the Ficken family service station business, telecommunications consultant, and independent travel agent.  He had partial interest in two patented inventions -- an expoxy sealant for roads/bridges and an infinitely variable transmission for aircraft carrier launching systems. Bob had many and wide interests, including fiction, history, engineering, economics, and travel.  He was an engaging personality who loved being ""out and among em,"" whether as the dependable ""devil's advocate"" arguing the issues of the day in local coffee groups, or as the friendly ""Mr. Wizard"" for neighborhood children.  Bob had amazing knowledge on a variety of subjects -- some affectionately characterized him as ""the professor.""  Beloved husband of Lynne (Alice Huse) for 64 years; father of Janet Lynne and Judith Anne Ficken, grandpa to Ellen Lauren and Anna Slade Ficken, and brother to Betty (Ficken) Peacock and Claus (Cork) Ficken Jr. (deceased) and uncle to the Ficken and Peacock cousins.  Bob chose to be cremated.  A memorial celebration of RLF's life will be held at the First Unitarian Society, 900 University Bay Dr, Madison, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2009, 4:30 -- 6:30 pm.  Family and friends are encouraged to bring their memories and anecdotes.  Memorials can be made to the HospiceCare Foundation (HospiceCare Inc, 5395 E Cheryl Pkwy, Madison, WI 53711.