Died peacefully on January 10, 2018 at Angels Grace Hospice in Oconomowoc and was welcomed home by his Heavenly Father with open arms.
Bob was born in Milwaukee Wisconsin on November 23, 1937 to Robert and Lorraine (Havlik) Blair. He graduated from Wauwatosa East High School in 1955 and joined the United States Air Force. He worked in the data processing field while stationed at Clark Air Force Base in the Philippines and Bolling Air Force Base in Washington DC. After honorable discharge as Airman Second Class, he married Fiona Janet Cairns in 1960 and returned to Milwaukee Wisconsin and joined his parents in running Blair’s True Value Hardware in Butler. Later he and his son Jim acquired New Berlin True Value Hardware and Watertown Ace Hardware. He truly enjoyed running this family business with all of his children. Over the years he was also involved with the Butler Area Chamber of Commerce and the Workforce Development Group of Waukesha County.
In 1999 Robert married Audrey Pieterick. He enjoyed their world travels and spending time with family and friends. He will be remembered for his kindness, humility, and generosity to all.
Robert is survived by his loving wife Audrey, his children Robert James (Rose) Blair, Jennifer (Robert) McCarthy, Jeannine Blair, Jay (Julie) Blair, Jeremy (Carolyn) Blair, grandchildren John, Samantha, Charlie, Matthew, Jordan, Jenna, Jake, Leah, Anna, step-grandsons Brad (Erin) Vesperman and Chad (Tammy Thiell) Vesperman, and their children Grace, Jack, Makena, Ava, Laila, and Letty. He is further survived by Audrey’s children Victoria (Michael) Jarnigo, Joseph (Andrea) Pieterick, Robert (Julie) Pieterick, and grandchildren , Mathew (Cassandra), Ryan, Mark, John (Katherine), Lawerence (Crystal), and their children, Jacob, Kate, Gigi, Molly, Owen.
Visitation at Krause Funeral Home, 21600 West Capitol Drive, Brookfield, Wisconsin Friday January 19, 2018 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM. Additional Visitation Saturday January 20, 2018 at St. Agnes Catholic Church, 12801 North Fairmount Avenue, Butler, Wisconsin, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM. Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM.
Bob will be missed by 70 yrs. of past and present employees, family members and his loyal customers.
Your children love you and miss you Dad. You taught us that hard work and respect for others are the staples of life. We’ll forever hold dear our times together, Cheers.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to American Cancer Society.