ROBERT TEEPLES OBITUARY

Robert W. “Bob” Teeples, 92, of Black River Falls, passed away Friday, August 5, 2011, at his home, while under the care of Black River Memorial Hospice.Robert W. Teeples was born on August 14, 1918 at Black River Falls to Oscar and Nellie (Flood) Teeples. He was raised in the Hatfied area. He was active in sports and played professional baseball with the La Crosse Blackhawks and the Eau Claire Bears before entering the Army in October, 1940.He married Hazel Birdine “Bird” Olson on August 29, 1945 in Clinton, IA. Bob and Hazel lived in Black River Falls until 1959 when they moved to Madison where they lived for 7 years. They later lived in Wausau for 7 years until returning to Black River Falls in 1974. Hazel Teeples died on November 8, 2010.During World War II, he served in the Pacific Theatre of Operations for 37 months, including combat time with the 32nd Infantry Division (Red Arrow) in New Guinea and the Philippine Islands. He was assigned temporary duty to a Special Forces unit with the 6th Army also known as the Alamo Scouts. It was their missions to reconnoiter behind the enemy lines and send back valuable information before the landing of our troops. During this time, he was awarded the Sliver Star for gallantry in action. He later returned to his 32nd Division unit where he received a battlefield commission to a 2nd Lieutenant in May, 1945. He was severely injured while on a patrol and returned to the United States for hospitalization. He was placed in the Army Reserves where he was promoted to the rank of Captain and retired in 1980.

Bob started as a Plant Accountant with the Community Telephone Company in 1945 and later held the position of Construction and Maintenance Supervisor for the Western District. When the company merged with the General Telephone Company in 1959, he became the Construction Supervisor for the Western District. In 1959, he was transferred to Madison to become the State Construction Coordinator. He later served in Wausau as Field Engineer and Real Estate Administrator, returning to Black River Falls in that same capacity where he retired in 1980 after 32 years with the telephone company.

He served the City of Black River Falls as Parks and Recreation Director from 1980 to 1986.

Bob was a life member of a number of national veteran’s organizations and a member of Black River Lodge No. 74 – Free and Accepted Masons and Royal Arch Masons Chapter #41. He was a life member and Past Commander of Miles-Hagen American Legion Post #200. He was a charter member and first Commander of AMVET Post #5494; life member of Thompson-RedCloud VFW Post #1959 of Black River Falls; Past Commander of VFW Post #388 of Wausau; life, charter and Past Commander of DAV Chapter #61. He also was a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Black River Falls.

He was one of the organizers and the first President of the Jackson County Little League in 1954. He was a life member and Past President of the Jackson County Historical Society. He helped organized and served as Chartered Organization Representative for Law Enforcement Explorer Post #459. In 1996, he organized and served as Adult Advisor to the Seven Trails Youth Club.

In 1976, Bob received the General Telephone Company Community Service Award and the Black River Falls Community Service Award in 1984. He was also selected as one of Wisconsin’s Ten Most Admired Senior Citizens in 1984. On February 15, 2006, Bob was inducted into the “Hall of Heroes” at the Tomah Veterans Administration Medical Center. On April 11, 2008, he was received the Black River Falls Rotary Club’s Lifetime Achievement Award for community service.

He was the author of five books – “Jackson County Veterans Volume 1 (1983) and Volume 2 (1986);” “Brockway Centennial Celebration (1990);” “Historic Hatfield (1992)”; and “Fair Play (1996)”.

Survivors include 4 sons, John Teeples of Hixton, Tom (Teresa) Teeples of Black River Falls, Colonel David (Sue) Teeples (US Army Retired) of Lithia, FL, and Bill (Jolene) Teeples of Black River Falls; 10 grandchildren, Todd Teeples, Jason Ott, Tyrone Teeples, Dan (Jenny) Teeples, Cpt. Amy Teeples (US Army), Josh Teeples, Cassandra (Joseph) Backaus, Steve Teeples, Jennie Teeples, and Christina Teeples; 6 great grandchildren, Holly, Kaylee and Grace Ott, Riley Teeples-Coplien, and Braylon and Gianna Backaus; and numerous other relatives and friends.

In addition to his wife, Hazel, Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Oscar and Nellie Teeples; a son, Bobby; 2 grandsons, Brian and Tony Teeples; and his sister, Violet Teeples.

Funeral services will be held at 2:30 P.M. on Wednesday, August 10, 2011, at Evangelical Lutheran Church, Black River Falls. Rev. Eric Bakken will be officiating. Burial, with full military honors, will follow in Riverside Cemetery, Black River Falls.

Family and friends are invited for visitation Wednesday, August 10, 2011, from 12 noon until the time of the service at the church.

Memorials may be given to the Jackson County Veterans Park or the AMVETS Park at Hatfield.

Buswell Funeral Home of Black River Falls is assisting the family with arrangements.