Robert Lee Graves

ROBERT LEE GRAVES Madison, WI October 31, 1923

Robert was born and raised in Madison with a few years in Milwaukee. Robert graduated from Madison West High School in December of 1942. He also attended Madison East High School and Central High. He attended Spring Harbor Elementary School previously located at the site of Hill Electric on Madison’s South Beltline. During his senior year at West, WWII broke out and Robert enlisted on December 8, the day after Pearl Harbor, joining the 306th Bomber Group. He left home on Christmas Eve to attend JM Percy Institute for training in Yakama, Washington. After completing his training, he spent 3 ½ years in the European Theater of operations. Robert was awarded the President’s Citation, Citation of Honor, the Good Conduct Medal, and the Victory Medal. Robert returned to Madison in August of 1945.

Robert worked at the Celon Company in Madison where he met his wife, Phyllis Ladd. Robert and Phyllis were married on November 16, 1946, at Bethel Lutheran Church in Madison. Robert left Celon to attend the University of Wisconsin in 1948. He also worked for a time at Leath Furniture and Sub-Zero. In 1950, Robert joined the Madison Police Department following in his father, George Graves’, footsteps who worked for the Madison Police Force and the Dane County Sheriff’s Department. Robert retired in 1978, after having spent many very rewarding years as an Officer and Sergeant with the Madison Police Department. Officer Bob, as he was known, was recognized for his exemplary work in Safety Education. He was awarded the Madison Citizen of the Year award by the Madison Newspaper Guild for his work. Bicycle safety was one initiative which included Bicycle Safety Week, the Bicycle Parade around the Capitol Square, and the crowning of the King and Queen of Bicycle Safety Week. Many remember him for visiting public and parochial school classrooms throughout Madison to teach the importance of safety such as; “Look both ways before you cross the street”, “Don’t jay-walk”, and the hand signals to use when riding your bike while making it fun with the addition of a few magic tricks. Bob was responsible for seeing to it that the fence of the median on East Washington Avenue at East High School was put up for the safety of the students attempting to cross four lanes of traffic. He also created and ran a pedestrian “court” which people who were ticketed for jay-walking or crossing when the signal said “don’t walk” would have to attend or pay a fine. Officer Bob was also the driving force behind school patrols and crossing guards at school crossings in Madison. Each year, he orchestrated a fabulous trip to Devils Lake and Wisconsin Dells to recognize the good work of all the school patrols. Busload after busload headed north for a day to remember. All the kids enjoyed the Wonder Spot, Fort Dells, and a Dells boat ride to see the dog jump at Standing Rock as well as lunch at one of the local restaurants. A stop at Devils Lake rounded out the day with milk and doughnuts and a chance to just run around before heading back home. The city of Wisconsin Dells recognized Officer Bob with the key to their city for the work he did with this initiative. Bob also arranged for one representative from each school, voted on by their peers, to participate in a national safety patrol recognition trip to Washington D.C. Each year, the Madison delegation would depart from the Madison train station where MG&E currently resides on Bedford Street and later from the train station in Columbus, Wisconsin. This was another unforgettable trip for many.

Robert also “walked the beat” in the Park/Regent street area stopping to eat at Jimmy’s Spaghetti House. He worked the riots on State Street in the ‘70’s and put in extra hours at Breese Stevens Field to provide security at football games and other sporting events while making extra money for his family.

Robert and Phyllis had four children, Dianne, Donna, Daniel, and Debra. Robert was the President of the Schenk School PTA and began the hot lunch program during his presidency. He also coached his son’s baseball team and helped with the Boy Scouts. Camping in Wisconsin was the family vacation every summer which included many family adventures and memories.

After his career at the MPD, Robert pursued a career in real estate. Once he obtained his broker’s license, he opened his own real estate business called Reality Plus. In addition to selling real estate, he also became an instructor for the Wisconsin School of Real Estate. Robert sold real estate for several years before retiring once again. Robert also was elected and served two terms, four years, on the Dane County Board of Supervisors and many years as an election official. Robert was a member of the Masonic Lodge #5 and a 32nd Degree, the Elks Club, the VFW - life member, Professional Police Association – retired, and Bethel Lutheran Church. In retirement, Robert loved to golf and was one of the few to make a hole-in-one which happened at the Odana Golf Course. Robert and Phyllis traveled to many destinations including Hawaii, Norway, and many times to Florida.

Robert was preceded in death by his wife, Phyllis, on March 1, 2012; mother, Mabel; father, George; sister, Mabel; and brothers, James and George. Robert is survived by his children, Diane Graves of Appleton, Donna (Steve) Parks of Middleton, Daniel (Vicki) Graves of Madison, and Debra (Kyle) Derke of Bloomington, Minnesota; eight grandchildren, Brad (Paula) Abplanalp, David (Jessica) Parks, Michael Parks, Ross Parks, Jennifer (Travis) Brown, and Megan, Nicole, and Paige Derke; seven great-grandchildren; niece, Jackie (Shayne) Davids; brother-in-law, David (Nancy) Ladd; sister-in-law, Marion Ladd; and many nieces and nephews.

Thanks go out to Pastor Curt Everson and to everyone at Sebring Assisted Living for all of their kindness, particularly to “Boss” who he always spoke highly of and the chef for making eggs when he requested them. Also to Joel Inden of Masonic Lodge #5 for his visits and the many doctors, nurses, and CNAs that helped him through his final journey to be in a safe and happy place in heaven with the love of his life, his wife of 65 years, Phyllis.