Robert Joseph Kalupa

Robert J. Kalupa

Born to Eternal Life Dec. 15, 2013, age 82 years. Robert Kalupa was a product of the Milwaukee Public Schools, including graduating with honors from Washington High School. He was captain of the swimming team in high school and swam also for UW-Milwaukee extension. He won several medals in state WIAA swim meets. He went on active duty with the Navy the day after receiving his BS Degree from UW-Madison, and after completing his first year of law school. He went to sea as an enlisted man aboard a cable layer, and then was re-assigned to the Officer training program at Newport R.I. where he was Battalion Commander of Officer class 15, and graduated 6th in his class of 400. He was commissioned as a Naval Air Intelligence Officer and was assigned to VF-13 (jet fighter squadron 13) for a Western Pacific cruise aboard the USS Bennington, spending time in the Formosa (now Taiwan) straits, the Philippines, Okinawa, Hong Kong and Japan. His Navy service was unique in that he served at sea as both an enlisted sailor and as an officer. He returned to finish law school in 1958, graduation with honors as a member of the Law Review at UW Madison Law School. He practiced law for 40 years and was a partner at Quarles & Brady, retiring in 1998. He was selected by his peers for listing in “Best Lawyers in America.” Robert was a certified scuba diver and made a number of trips to various dive destinations. He was also a pilot, flying actively for 15 years. His interest in golf never abated. He served on the Board of the Greater Milwaukee Open-U.S. Bank Championship for 20 years, serving as president of the GMO in 1975 and 1976. He won the senior club championship at Tripoli country Club and later played at The BOG until becoming legally blind. Currently represented The BOG on the Board of the Wisconsin State Golf Association since 1995, serving as a member of the Executive committee and Co-chair of the Legal Committee. Robert was Honorary consul for the Republic of Austria for Wisconsin, retiring in 2006, when his service was recognized with the award of the gold Medal of Service. Currently he was the Wisconsin representative for the Austrian-American Council. He was a member of the Austrian-American Society of Milwaukee, having served as a Director and Secretary. For 17 years he and his wife were members of “A Night in Old Vienna Ball” Committee. Although his vision continued to deteriorate, he made a last trip to his beloved Vienna in April to attend the PBS taping of “Salute to Vienna” concert, visiting Robert Zischg, former Austrian Consul General of Chicago, and Maria Viehbock, opera singer and dear friend. Robert was a former President and Director of the Summit House Condominium Association, and in 1991 participated in People to People Trade Mission to London, Warsaw and Berlin on European Employee Benefit issues. He is survived by his wife, Eileen Bodoh, step-son, David, and daughters, Karen (Bob) Kalupa Bryan, Susan (Paul Gless) Kalupa, and Katherine Kalupa-McGraw, and grandchildren Maggie, Joseph, Colleen, and Mary Clare. Also survived by sister, Barbara (Roger) Raasch, nieces and nephews, and many beloved friends.

Visitation will take place in the Atrium at The Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, 812 N. Jackson St. Sat. Dec. 21, 2013 from 1:00 PM until the time of the Funeral Mass in the Church at 3:00 PM.

Parking is available on Mason St. (1 block south of Church) between Jackson and Jefferson Sts. in the parking structures on the north side of the street.

Interment with Military Honors 11:00 AM Mon. Dec. 23, 2013 at Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Union Grove, WI.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to Bright Focus Foundation (for macular degeneration research) 22512 Gateway Center Dr., Clarksburg, MD 20871, appreciated.

Blindness no impediment to lifestyle.