"How I wish Mr. Esser had been able to meet my father because of their involvement in the Battle of Mortain during World War II. Without a single word they would have been connected. There were relatively few soldiers whose groups were awarded Presidential Unit Citations. May Mr. Esser rest in peace. Respectfully, Louise Endres Moore "
In loving memory of
H.Robert Esser
July 23, 1923 - December 18, 2016
MADISON--Hilmore Robert "Bob" Esser, age 93, passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 18, 2016, surrounded by his family.
Bob was born in Dane on July 23, 1923, the son of the late Hilmore and Elma (Reppen) Esser. Bob is a veteran, having served in World War II in the 120th Infantry Regiment, 30th Division, Company F. He was united in marriage to Mary Ellen Madigan in Dane on September 1, 1945.
After serving honorably, he graduated from the University of Wisconsin and worked as a traveling auditor at Wisconsin Power and Light for two years. After that, he took a position with Gaarder and Miller, a medical consulting firm where he served as an accountant until his retirement in 1984. In his spare time, he enjoyed forestry, fishing, hunting, and traveling with his wife and friends.
He is survived by his loving wife Mary; children David, Donald (Anne Alessi), Elaine, James (Sally Higgins), and Jane (Bill Brewer); grandchildren Jennifer, Eric, Caeli (Thor Aschim), Max, Colleen (Michael Moran), and Charlotte; and great-grandchildren Torin, Roman, Freyja and Aurora. He was preceded in death by his parents.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, January 4, 2017 at OUR LADY QUEEN OF PEACE PARISH, 401 South Owen Drive, Madison, with Father William Nolan presiding. Visitation will be at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Foundation of America (www.alzfdn.org) or Wisconsin Woodland Owners Association (wisconsinwoodlands.org).
The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses, and staff at the VA Hospital for their great care and compassion.
Cress Funeral & Cremation Service
3610 Speedway Road, Madison
608-238-3434