Robert Ragotzkie

Madison - Robert A. Ragotzkie passed away peacefully on Thursday, November 4, 2021, his wife and family were with him to the end.

Bob was the only child of Robert and Edith Ragotzkie, born in Albany, NY, on September 13, 1924. After growing up in Albany, Bob started college at Rutgers University but was called to serve his country in 1943. He joined the Army Air Corps, becoming a B-24 bomber pilot, flying missions from the Philippines in WWII. Bob was proud of his service, making a presentation about his experiences to the EAA Convention, and finally a Badger Honor Flight with his grandson Austin (an Afghanistan veteran) just a couple of years ago.

Robert finished his BS and Masters degrees at Rutgers after the war and married Elizabeth Post, his wife of 72 years, in 1949. Betty and Bob moved to Madison, where he earned his Ph.D. in 1953. After running the Marine Studies Institute on Sapelo Island, GA for five years, he moved the family back to Madison, where he began his teaching career with the UW Department of Meteorology.

His work as a scientist and teacher took him to remote areas of the earth, including Antarctica, where he studied lakes in dry valleys, and the Northwest Territories of Canada, where there was more lake research to be done. His main area of interest over many decades were the Great Lakes. Bob was the director of the UW Sea Grant Program for many years.

Bob was a passionate fly fisherman, an interest he credits to his mom, who worked for the NY Conservation Department, and his dad, who taught him to fish. Bob’s family went on many camping trips around the country, but never where he could not wet a line! Bob was lucky to have friends who shared his fly fishing passion, traveling to the tropics together in search of bonefish and tarpon.

Bob and Betty shared a special passion for Door County, spending many summer vacations there and ultimately building a summer cabin on the shores of Lake Michigan. Of special interest to Bob and Betty was the Ridges Sanctuary, where they spent many days volunteering labor and guidance while serving on the board. Bob and Betty were active members of the Madison Ski Club, spending time and traveling with many wonderful friends, from the Rockies to the Alps.

Bob’s passion for nature and science has certainly rubbed off on his kids and grandkids. We all share a love of the natural world, which we credit to the many wild areas around the country where we visited as kids.

Bob is survived by his wife Elizabeth, a son Peter (Wendy) Verona, daughter Kim (Paul) Ashton, ID, daughter Susan, Madison, grandson Austin, granddaughter Erin, and two great-granddaughters Emma and Taylor.

There is no memorial service planned at this time; a gathering of friends and family will be at a later date.

Cress Funeral & Cremation Services

3610 Speedway Road

(608) 238-3434