Robert J. Noon

Robert James Noon, age 96, passed away on Friday morning, March 8, 2024, at Marquardt memory care.   He will be deeply missed by his family and friends.

Robert was born on July 8, 1927, in Watertown, son of Clarence and Nina (Gillard) Noon.  Robert attended school in Oconomowoc, graduating from Oconomowoc High School in 1944. In his grade school years, he was known as a bit of a scoundrel, making life interesting for his teachers and spending plenty of time in detention. He also reveled in scheming with his brothers to irritate their sisters with tricks such as serving Mary silage for lunch in place of her preferred salad. Throughout his life he maintained a dry sense of humor and had that ‘Irish sparkle’ in his eyes when enjoying a good joke.

Upon graduation, he enlisted in the Air Force Reserve entering active duty in 1945. He earned the rank of crew chief and flight engineer on a B-25 before his discharge in 1946. He was proud of his military service.

He returned to the family farm and then took a job operating an Oswald Jaeger Baking Company route. During this time, he met Mary, his beloved wife, on a blind date and they were married on May 26, 1951. They were happily married for 71 years.

Together they had six children: John (Mary Pat Henman) Noon of Bluemound WI, Barbara (Bill Salmon) Noon of Port Wahington WI, Mary (Jay) Dietrich of Delafield WI, Kate Noon (deceased), Bernadette (Dave Wallace) Noon of Boulder CO, and Margaret Pavelic (deceased, survived by husband Peter, Grafton WI). Robert had four grandchildren; Paul (Cristina Botero) Dietrich of Naperville IL and their two children Martín and Elena, Peter (Ashley) Dietrich of Mequon WI, Nick (Josh Stanke) Pavelic of Seattle WA, and Alex Pavelic of Pasadena CA.  

Bob was a self-made man who valued education. Throughout much of his working career, he took university courses and technical training courses to broaden his production control skills and acquire computer skills. By embracing education and new technologies, Bob was able to change companies and advance from a production worker on metal working shop floor to the Plant Manager at APV Crepaco Inc. in Lake Mills. Bob instilled the importance of education in his children, all of whom advanced their education and several who attained advanced degrees.

Bob is best remembered for his dedication to service and helping others. He was kind and accepting of everyone he met no matter their place in life, and he always had a kind word for people he met. He was happiest when caring for and supporting others, be it his aunts and uncles, members of his extended family, his children and grandchildren, friends, and those in need in his community. He was always ready to help out with a home repair, a trip to the doctor's office, a ride from college to do laundry and escape the campus, or other important tasks. He purchased and managed several rental properties and he often went the extra mile to help a young couple or family to maintain a roof over their head.  

Bob was active in St. Bernard’s parish for many years. He was one of the first four eucharistic ministers in the Madison Diocese, taught catechism, served on the Parish council, served as a lector, and sang in the choir. He was Saint Bernard’s coordinator for Habitat for Humanity for several years after his retirement and supervised the construction of the house on Cady Street in Watertown.

Bob was preceded in death by his wife Mary, his parents Clarence and Nina (Gillard) Noon, his brothers Charles (died in infancy), Joe, Jack, and Vernon Noon, and his daughters Kate Noon and Maggie Pavelic. He is survived by his four sisters Julia Miller (Noon), Mary Armstrong (Noon), Roseanne Scharpf (Noon), and Judy Rebholz (Noon)

A visitation will be held from 10-11 am on Saturday, April 6^th at Saint Bernard church with service to follow at 11 am.  Internment of ashes will follow immediately at St. Bernard's Catholic Cemetery in Watertown.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you give to Habitat for Humanity Washington and Dodge County affiliate office ( https://hfhwashco.org/donate/ ), the Gary Sinise Foundation ( https://www.garysinisefoundation.org/donate ) or a charity of your choice in Bob's memory or perform a random act of kindness.