Robert Luke

MADISON - Robert Edwin Luke joined the world on January 14, 1934 in Chicago, Illinois. Bob's parents moved to Indianapolis, Indiana, where he spent most of his childhood. He returned to Chicago often to spend time with his grandmother (Irene Olsen), who was an important person in his life especially after losing his mother, who died when he was young.
Bob joined the 4th Armored Division of the U.S. Army in 1953 and was stationed at Fort Hood, Texas. After his service, Bob spent the next 4 years at Purdue University where he met his future wife, Susan Alexander. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Management and took a systems design position with International Harvester, working in both Indianapolis and Fort Wayne.
Bob and Susan married on July 30, 1960; they were together almost 57 years.
In 1966, he joined Abbott Laboratory's Information Services Division in North Chicago, Illinois, as the Manager of Data Processing. After leaving Abbott, he taught in the Computer Science Department at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside for 7 years until he retired in 1999.
Bob experienced a life filled with simple pleasures - sitting on the deck of his home looking out on Lake Michigan, woodworking and cabinet-making, playing and watching baseball, traveling to Door County with his wife, eating and enjoying any type of dessert. Throughout his life, but especially in his later years, what gave him the most joy was being with his family. Bob brought love and laughter to all who had the good fortune to know him.
Bob is survived by his loving wife, Susan Luke; his sister Diane Stannard (Clint); his four sons Douglas Luke (Susan Englund) of Kirkwood, Missouri; Brian Luke (Barbara) of Marysville, Ohio; Dave Luke (Stephanie) of Madison, Wisconsin; Gary Luke (Liza Burke) of Seattle, Washington; and his grandchildren Alex Luke, Adam Luke, Alina Luke, Andrew Englund, Max Luke, Katherine Roubanes, and Blake Roubanes. He will also be missed by his niece, Gretchen (Brian) Andrus, and his nephew, Adrian (Cory) Guenther, and their families of Fort Wayne, Indiana.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Viola (Olsen) Luke.
The family would like to express deep appreciation for the care that Bob received over the past year from the caregivers from Visiting Angels, Brookdale, and Agrace Hospice & Palliative Care.
A private memorial and burial will be held in Madison with family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:
Chiwaukee Prairie Preservation Fund, Inc.
P.O. Box 1802
Kenosha, Wisconsin 53141

Or
Agrace Foundation (Hospice)
5395 E. Cheryl Parkway
Madison, WI 53711


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Cress Funeral and Cremation Service
3325 East Washington Ave., Madison
(608) 249-6666