MATC Matters

We recently learned that John Robinson has passed away. John was the Dean of Business for Madison Area Technical College and retired in 1988. We have lost a great friend who cared and nurtured many of us in our careers.

John’s funeral will be Friday at 11 a.m. at the Methodist Church in Montello. Visitation will be on Thursday evening, 5-7 p.m. at the Steinhaus-Wacholz Funeral Home. Our condolences go out to John’s family and friends.

Here is the funeral announcement with more information:
Robinson, John S. MONTELLO
Mr. John S. Robinson, age 84, of Montello, died at his home, Sunday, Feb. 17, 2008. He was born Sept. 25, 1923, the third of 11 children to Marquette Clerk of Circuit Court, Samual and Lucy (Cummings) Robinson. He graduated from Montello High School in 1941, where he was valedictorian and received letters in basketball and boxing. He began college at Whitewater and was sports editor with his column “Quicker than You Can Say” by Jack Robinson.

World War II took him to the Navy, along with five of his brothers, where he became an officer, serving in the South Pacific and then in China, after his ship was destroyed in a typhoon. Brothers, Don and Bob, met Jack in Hawaii, during the war, where Bob was a survivor of Pearl Harbor. Following his Navy service, he finished his education at the University of Wisconsin, majoring in business. After graduating, he joined General Mills Corp. and traveled the U.S. auditing the various offices. In Montana, he served as a Boy Scout leader.

After many years at General Mills, he returned to Madison and received a master’s degree and became Dean of the business school at Madison Area Technical College. He spent his weekends and summers living in the Robinson home in Montello. He purchased land next door and always welcomed guests to his huge garden with many varieties of flowers, especially dahlias. His original dahlia tubers were given to him by the family dentist, Dr. Grant. HGTV featured his flowers on its National Home and Garden show. John was a master gardener, a supporter of the Marquette County Fair, where he entered many floral arrangements and also served as superintendent of the flower show.

He was a member of Masonic Lodge 141 for more than 50 years and held many offices in that organization. He was a member of the Montello Historical Society, the Marquette County Historical Society, where he was the treasurer and collected the money at the annual Strawberry Festival. He was a member of American Legion Post 351 in Montello, and a long time member of Trinity Methodist Church, where he often brought floral arrangements for the altar and served on many committees.

John is survived by six brothers, Robert (Wilma), Donald and William of Montello, Clarie (Shirley) of Monona, Kenneth (Maureen) and Ralph (Linda) of Sun Prairie; two sisters, Janis (Ralph) Neale of Merrill and Sharon (Dave) Clark of Lodi; aunt, Edna Ritchie of Montello; many nieces and nephews, who Jack invited to his home for Christmas Dinner; other relatives; and many dear friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Betty Lou Stick of Montello and Ruth (Robert) Williams of Pardeeville.

John traveled around the world extensively and will be remembered for his competitive spirit and his love of nature and land, which he left much better than he found it. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 22, 2008, at the TRINITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, Montello, with Pastor Sue Bryce officiating. Friends and family may visit on Thursday, Feb. 21, 2008, at the STEINHAUS‑WAC OLZ FUNERAL HOME, Montello, from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. and also at the church Friday from 10 a.m. until the time of services. Burial will be held near the Robinson farm in the Oakhill Cemetery, Westfield. Steinhaus‑Wachholz Funeral Home in Montello, is assisting the family.(608) 297‑2268 Steinhaus‑Wachholz Funeral Home Montello Ripon Markesan