Robert L. Greig

Robert L. Greig, age 86, passed away on Saturday, September 19, 2009 at Meriter Hospital in Madison.   He was born in Stoughton, August 19, 1923, a son of Alexander M. and Selma (Torgerson) Greig.   When Bob graduated from the Stoughton High School in 1942 he worked as a tool room machinist at Gisholt Machine, Madison, Wisconsin. Gisholt at the time had the largest lathes in the world and they were machining large naval gun barrels for the WWII war effort. Later in 1942 Bob entered the war and served in the Pacific; Guadalcanal, New Georgia, Bougainville, and the Philippines. Bob was wounded twice and spent almost two years recuperation in the states. Two purple hearts were awarded to Bob as well as many other medals for heroism and gallantry in action.   After discharge from the Army Hospital Bob joined the family business, (started in 1914) working with his brother Lou and his father Alexander M. Greig, Sr.  The business at that time was providing machine shop services for local farms and Industry. In 1947 Bob's father retired and he and his brother Lou purchased the company and it was incorporated as Greig Machine, Inc. This enterprise went on to achieve some revolutionary equipment for the printing/coating/ and lamination for the packaging Industry. Bob had the unique ability to envision special equipment that would lead to extended longevity in the web fed and sheet fed industry that dealt with Flex-O-Graphic printing presses, web converting equipment, and the custom special assembly equipment.   Greig Machine prospered and grew and eventually joined forces with Faustel of Butler, Wisconsin where Bob traveled the world including Europe, Canada and South America. Bob was the company ambassador representing Faustel for customer contact, engineering and manufacturing expertise.   For the next 15 years, Bob continued to design equipment for many end users like Uniroyal, Proctor and Gamble, Lever Brothers. One of the most creative products that Bob came up with was the design and manufacture of a machine to apply pressure sensitive materials for the graphic arts industry. He would later expand the design concept to include thermal or heat-activated. This product is now known as a Wide Format ""Laminator"" and is being used around the world. Bob Greig is known as the ""Father of the Laminator"" and virtually thousands of the machines have been manufactured.   In 1995 Bob joined a start up operation known as Advanced Grieg Laminators. After 48 years in the design field Bob still had the ideas for a new and improved generation of Laminators! For the next 14 years, Bob nurtured his original equipment concepts to fulfill many new segments of the market. Now, however, the applications were for Membrane Switches, Large Color laboratories, and Sign shops and many other modern day products that are in use every day. Bob's work ethic, integrity and congenial personality will be greatly missed by all of the employees at AGL! May Bob rest in peace.   Bob was a member of First Lutheran Church, a lifetime member, Quartermaster, and member of the Cooties at the VFW, a lifetime member and member of the 40 and 8s at the American Legion, a member of the Police and Fire Commission, the Hospital Board, and the Madison Club.   Bob enjoyed golfing, fishing, UW football, travel and trade shows.   He is survived by a brother, Richard Lou' Greig; nephew, Robert (Carol) Christensen; and great nephew, Jeffrey (Karen) Christensen.   He was preceded in death by a brother, Alexander M. Greig, Jr., who was killed in action and received the Silver Star in WWII; and by a sister, Borghild Christensen.   Funeral services will be held on Thursday, September 24, 2009 at noon at first Lutheran Church, 310 E. Washington, Stoughton, with the Rev. Sara Ehrets.   Burial and Military rites will follow at Riverside Cemetery in Stoughton.   The family will greet friends at church on Thursday from 9:30 am until noon.   A luncheon at the VFW hall in Stoughton will follow services at the cemetery.   Olson-Holzhuter-Cress 206 W Prospect Ave Stoughton 608-873-9244 www.CressFuneralService.com