Obituary of Robert LeRoy Michel

Robert LeRoy Michel answered the call of His Lord on Sunday, August 10, 2014 at his home. Born on September 25, 1922, in the Town of Hampden, Columbia County, WI, Robert was the son of Charles and Mae (Tompkins) Michel. Receiving his grade school education in rural schools he graduated from Cambridge High School in 1940 with highest honors, entered the University of Wisconsin on scholarship and earned his B. S. degree there. He also earned a Ph.D. from Carroll College, Waukesha, and there joined Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity of which he later became District Governor. Robert was joined in marriage with Lois Ogilvie on June 25, 1949. He entered a partnership with his father on Michel Farms of Cambridge where they operated over 700 acres. After his father passed away the lands were sold and Robert joined Cargill, Inc. as a sales manager. At age 63 he retired from Cargill after winning highest honors from them for three years. During most of his adult life, Robert was also an agent, director, or officer of Town Mutual Insurance companies, recently serving Medina Mutual of Marshall as agent and Vice President. Robert spent most of his life as an active Christian leader, serving his Cambridge Presbyterian Church as a teacher, a Trustee, a Ruling Elder and as Clerk of Session. He was chairman of three pastoral selection committees and also served the Madison Presbytery, being the only layman elected to serve successive terms as Moderator. A delegate to the General Assembly, he served several years as a Church and Society Committee leader. He also spent eleven years as a Board member of "Pres House", Madison, five of them as President. Freemasonry was another institution which received Bob's energies. Joining Social Lodge #245 in Cambridge in 1944, he served as W. M. in 1956 and then as Secretary in later years. He also served the Madison Scottish Rite Bodies as Lost Wise Master of Rose Croix, as High Priest of Lake Mills Chapter #100 and was active in Chapter and Commandery bodies, Zor Shrine and Red Cross of Constantine in Madison. Bob�s community and fraternal efforts were recognized when he received the Honorary 33rd Degree conferred by the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction in the year 1970, the only Cambridge Mason to have ever received this distinct honor. Bob was also an Eastern Star member, having served nine terms as Patron of his Cambridge Chapter #119. He was also a member of the sons of the Revolution, Nathaniel Ames Chapter by virtue of his mother's lineage. Interested since grade school days in stamp collecting, he maintained this interest all his life and belonged to several of its collector societies. Together with his wife they shared all of these activities as well as frequently attending Madison or Milwaukee Symphony concerts, theater events at Madison Civic Center and Memorial Union, Madison Jazz concerts or Badger football and hockey games. In his later years, Bob was fortunate to have a dear college friend re-enter his life. Magdalen Schafer and Bob spent 12 wonderful years together in Middleton, WI. She survives. He is also survived by a niece, Mary Flinn, cousin Marian Weber and many beloved cousins, fraternal brothers, and friends. Robert was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Lois, and his sister, Elizabeth (Michel) Schlicher. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00AM on Thursday, August 14, 2014 at the Nitardy Funeral Home Chapel, 208 N. Park Street, Cambridge, WI with Rev. Glen Reichelderfer officiating. Burial will be in Lake Ripley Cemetery, Town of Oakland, Wisconsin. Friends may call after 9AM on Thursday, August 14, 2014 at the funeral home until the time of the services. All are invited to a�Masonic service which will be held at 9:00 am which will include the Rose and Salt Ceremony as conducted by 33rd Masons and a regular Masonic service by Social Lodge #245, Cambridge, Wisconsin. It is requested that any memorials be directed to Christ Presbyterian Church, Madison, WI or the Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children. The Nitardy Funeral Home, Cambridge, WI is assisting the family.