Robert A. Geason ‘Burlington Bob,’ 69, Burlington, died unexpectedly April 2, 2016, at Aurora Memorial Hospital of Burlington. He was born Dec. 17, 1946, to the late Kenneth and Loretta (Rode) Geason in Milwaukee.
He spent his youth in Union Grove where he attended school. He loved sports and was a successful athlete earning four letters in baseball and two in basketball. He is a graduate of Union Grove High School class of 1965.
He served his country in the U.S. Army from 1967 to 1969, which included 12 months in Vietnam. After leaving the service Bob got his start in construction with Glen Christman. From 1972-1975 Bob was an AAL Insurance Agent. He decided he liked building better than insurance, so together with Jim Hansen they formed G & H Builders in the mid 70s.
On May 4, 1979, he married Jackie Loch in Burlington where they made their life, although Union Grove always felt like home. Together with his wife Jackie, they started B J Builders where he worked until he retired in 1999. He prided himself on his high quality custom homes, saying he never built the same house twice. While he never built a new one for Jackie, they totally remodeled their home of 35 years.
Bob was an avid Harley rider since his teen years. Whether the back of his bike was filled with any one of his family or friends, or he was on his own, he loved his motorcycle rides. Both Bob and Jackie greatly enjoyed their trips on his Ultra Classic, which still remains safely within the family. They spent winters in Mission, Texas. Bob leaves behind many family and friends in both Texas and Wisconsin. He enjoyed his time with them immensely, but especially that with his grandsons. The boys were Grandpa Bob’s pride and joy; he was their number one fan.
For the past 16 years Bob had been a very active part of the Republican Party of Wisconsin, playing an instrumental role in many campaigns. He served on the Racine County GOP board, Vice Chairman of the 1st District, Republican Party of Wisconsin Executive Board and State of Wisconsin Treasurer. He became known as ‘Burlington Bob’ and was the force for many years of the 1st District Fall Fest, having raised thousands of dollars for the benefits of many local Republican candidates. He was most proud of having been elected as a delegate from Racine County for the 2008 Republican National Convention.
He also received the Bovay Award for 2011 and the Coles Bashford Award for 2014. Bob and his Republican red truck were part of many parades, hauling Dutch the Racine Republican elephant to numerous events, and he was the go-to-guy to get 4X8 campaign signs installed west of the interstate. As Bob would say, “Grab a handful of personal responsibility, and have a great Republican Day.”
Survivors include his wife of 36 years; his daughter, Kimberly (Jeffery) Flann, Janesville; stepsons, John Loch and Jeffrey (Jozette) Loch, both Union Grove; grandsons, Wyatt Flann, Corey and Marshall Loch; brother, Ronald Geason, Uganda, Africa/Madison; nieces and nephews, Edie (John) Zukowski, Alison (Jake) Dykstra, both Madison, Nathan (Laura) Geason, Sewickley, Pa.; in-laws, Bill (Sue) Moyle, La Crosse, Nancy (Tom) Moorman, Comfort, Texas, Jim (Diane) Moyle, Sioux City, Iowa, Roberta (Howard) Cook, Iola; his daughter’s mother, Kathleen Dembny, Baraboo; step-grandchildren, Terra Flann, Burlington, Gabrielle Flann, Racine; special friends, Dave and Donna Hansen, Jacksonville, Fla., Kay and Roger Weis, Burlington, outstanding neighbors, Jack and Ruth Berry, Burlington.
He was preceded in death by his parents-in-law, Bob and Lucille Moyle; stepson, Eric Loch; and brother-in-law, William Mallow.
In lieu of flowers, the family has suggested memorials be made to any of the following: Love Inc., Burlington Fire and Rescue, or the Republican Party of Wisconsin.
Funeral services are Friday, April 8, at 7 p.m., at Polnasek-Daniels Funeral Home, 908 11th Ave., Union Grove. Relatives and friends may visit with the family on Friday from 3-6:30 p.m., at the funeral home. Following cremation, a private burial will take place at a later date.
Well-wishers can visit www.danielsfamilyfuneral.com.
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