Robert Joseph Kay

Robert Kay of Verona, Wisconsin, age 75, died August 16 after a courageous battle with cancer.   Bob is survived by his wife of 51 years, Inger Boethius, his children Robert Jr, Tim, Peggy, Peter, David and Chris and his grand-children Grace, Lucy, Emily, Anna, Hannah, Muriel, Ava, Lukas, Scout, Eleanor, Lance and Linus and his brother Paul Tarsus Kay.   Preceded in death by his sister Mary Lee Gilbertson and parents Robert and Barbara (nee Kammer) Kay. Bob was born and raised in Madison, Wisconsin. A proud graduate of University of Wisconsin, he earned his Juris Doctor from University of Wisconsin Law School in 1958. After serving as an Assistant DA, Assistant Attorney General and attorney in the US Attorney's office, Bob entered private practice, and for 48 years was a passionate counselor and litigator with his firm Kay and Andersen, S.C.   Over the years, Bob served as Chairman of the Wisconsin Supreme Court Board of Professional Responsibility, was a lead arbitrator and mediator for the American Arbitration Association, and was actively involved in numerous legal organizations. He was a frequent lecturer and writer on various legal topics including construction and engineering litigation and contract law at University of Wisconsin.   In addition to his legal work, Bob was passionate about community service.   To name just a few, Bob served as president of the Sertoma Club, president of Madison West Rotary, twice Chair of Annual Fundraising Auction for Wisconsin Public Television, and President of Madison Repertory Theatre Board.   In addition he served as a member of the Junior Chamber of Commerce and United Way of Dane County. An avid sailor, golfer, sportsman and outdoorsman, Bob created adventures for family and friends.   After learning to sail at Hoofers on Lake Mendota, Bob captained his own sailboat and young family crew through all the Great Lakes before cruising the eastern seaboard from Nova Scotia to the Bahamas. Bob, Inger, family and friends enjoyed racing to Bermuda, transatlantic crossings, and cruising through the Mediterranean Sea to the Adriatic and east to the shores of Turkey.   When not on the boat, Bob, Inger and the family enjoyed their cottage on the shore of Green Bay in Door County. Bob enjoyed poetry, jazz music on his piano and reading.   From weekly poetry readings at Rotary Meetings to family dinners with Conrad and Shakespeare, Bob never missed an opportunity to share a story. Bob, you will be missed by all of us. Now you've found the new shorethe fairest shore for the brave and righteous. God Bless you, husband, father, grandfather and friend to so many. Visitation will be held at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church, 401 S. Owen Drive, Madison on Tuesday August 18th, 5pm -- 7pm.   A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church on Wednesday August 19th, 12:30pm, with Msgr. Kenneth J. Fiedler officiating.    Lunch reception will be at Nakoma Country Club immediately following funeral service.    In lieu of flowers, please remember:   University of Wisconsin Lung Cancer Research Foundation (c/o UW Foundation); HospiceCare Inc. of Dane County; or the South Madison Multicultural Center c/o Our Lady Queen of Peace Church.