Bob Miracle, 1931 - 2004
Bob Miracle, 1931 - 2004
Miracle, Robert Douglas
DEFOREST - Robert Douglas Miracle died on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2004, of complications following his second surgery for a malignant brain tumor. He had been at the Don and Marilyn Anderson Hospice Center in Fitchburg since Feb. 20.
Bob was born on July 6, 1931, in Green Bay to Harold and Lucille Miracle, and lived for several years in Chicago as a child. During his professional life he designed telecommunications systems for Wisconsin Bell, AT&T, and the state of Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs. He received the Wisconsin National Guard Award for Outstanding Family Support in recognition of his efforts on behalf of families who wished to directly communicate with their service men and women during the Gulf War.
Music was important in his life. Toward the end of the Korean War he served as a musician in the division Army band stationed at Fort Carson, Colo. He enjoyed singing with various groups, including the Milwaukee Choristers, the Florentine Opera Chorus and the First Unitarian Society of Madison choir. For years he was an energetic member of the Madison Scottish Country Dance Society.
Aviation - anything relating to aeronautics - was a lifelong passion and challenge. He was a licensed pilot and enjoyed flying various Cessnas, some of which he purchased as wrecks and restored. He began building model planes as a child, and he built airworthy experimental aircraft as an adult. He had been a long-time member of the Experimental Aircraft Association and belonged to the Madison Area Radio Control Society.
Until he became ill in September 2003, he was a regular blood donor, and he worked as an enthusiastic volunteer at the Dane County Habitat for Humanity ReStore. He particularly valued his relationship with his co-workers at the ReStore. He will be remembered by family and friends for his warmth, kindness, comfortable manner and generosity as well as for his many talents. He was a patient and competent teacher, eager to share his varied skills with a ready, encouraging smile.
He is survived by his wife, Faith of DeForest; daughter, Nancy of Seattle; son, Christopher (Lori) of Menomonee Falls; three very special grandchildren, Ryan, Brendan and Andrew of Menomonee Falls; a brother, Kenneth (Marilyn) of Everett, Wash.; and a sister, Marilyn (Gordon) of Ashwaubenon; also by nieces, nephews and other relatives. He will be greatly missed by his devoted lap-cats, Toby, Lily and Chester. The family wishes to thank all the care-givers at the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics and at the hospice center who helped Bob during his difficult illness. He was deeply touched by the outpouring of concern and affection by so many friends during his final months. He has asked that there be no memorial service. The family suggests gifts in his memory be made to Dane County Habitat for Humanity or an animal shelter of choice.
"Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings; Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth Of sun-split clouds, - and done a hundred things " - From "High Flight" by John Gillespie Magee Jr.