Encyclopedia Dubuque
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CASPER, John Robert "Bob"
CASPER, John Robert "Bob". (Shullsburg, WI, Nov. 27, 1935--Dubuque, IA, Apr. 27, 2017). The son of Jack and Alta (Watson) Casper, Bob as a high school student was active in sports and was the pitcher for the tiny Shullsburg team when they made it to state one year. He then attended the UNIVERSITY OF DUBUQUE on a music scholarship.
Through Bob's younger sister Suzie he met Zoe Ann Egelhof and the two were married at the University of Dubuque Chapel on August 10, 1958. Life soon became very busy for the two students as son Steven and daughter Liza came along as they continued to finish their education. During this time, Bob also worked nights at the JOHN DEERE DUBUQUE WORKS as a tool specialist.
After the pair graduated from UD, they packed up the family and moved to Milwaukee where Bob and Zoe attended the Wisconsin Institute of Mortuary Science. Soon after they returned to Dubuque where Bob joined his father-in-law Charles L. "Chuck" EGELHOF and Zoe's uncle David Egelhof at the EGELHOF FUNERAL HOME on Locust Street.
In addition to his work at the funeral home, Bob continued to sing at church, weddings, funerals and many public gatherings for the rest of his life. One of the favorites of the family was when he sang "Let There Be Peace" during the Memorial Day services at LINWOOD CEMETERY for the veterans. Bob also used his singing skills in several local musicals.
Spurred on by his father-in-law, Bob got the racing bug in the mid-1960s, first running hydroplane boats and then racing karts in the summer and on the ice at Frentress Lake in the winter. He loved to tinker with the engines and was always searching for the latest hot parts to get the edge on the competition. Next it was drag racing followed by stock car racing in his #30 electric blue Buick V-6. In later years Bob loved attending the Legends Night at Farley where his name resides on the Wall of Fame.
Nearly all his life Bob was an exercise fanatic and pursued lots of sports that gave him a good workout and were fun at the same time. Racquetball, weight-lifting and swimming at YMCA, tennis, running, bicycling, SCUBA diving and snow skiing. Perhaps his favorite was water skiing on the MISSISSIPPI RIVER and entering the water ski marathons which were common in the 1970s. He won several of the competitions and one year went for nearly seven hours on one ski without stopping.
Bob helped with many charity drives over the years and was a member of several service organizations and, his favorites being Rotary and High Twelve. His other treasured club was 990 at the Shooting Park.
Bob loved to go on trips and he and Zoe were fortunate to have the opportunity to zig-zag across the country for many decades, visiting family and friends. Vero Beach in Florida was a favorite winter destination for almost 15 years, driving down in the Crown Vic. They also enjoyed a lot of motorcycle touring with many good friends over the years.
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Source:
Obituaries. Dubuque Today. Online: http://www.dubuquetoday.com/obituaries.cfm#John%20R.%20Casper [[Category: Undertaker/Funeral Director