Robert G. Cairns
Robert G. Cairns, Sr. age 95, passed away on March 30th, 2022 in Cumberland, WI. He was born in Rich – mond, Il April 13, 1926 to the late Ralph E. Cairns and Marie (nee: Dammier) Cairns.
After graduating from Wil –
liams Bay High School in Wil – liams Bay, WI he served in the U.S. Navy on a minesweeper in the South Pacific during WWII. At the conclusion of the war in 1946, he discharged from the Navy and spent the next four years at UW Stout earning a Bachelor of Science Degree. While at Stout he met the love of his life, Vernette M. Eslinger (of Stanley, WI); they were married on June 10, 1948. Bob began his ca – reer teaching in Park Falls, WI. In 1951 they moved to Racine, WI where Bob was an Industrial Arts teacher at Mitchell Middle School fol – lowed by Washington Park High School. Bob also taught adult night school for wood –
working and furniture finish – ing. In the summer of 1953, Bob built their home in Racine where they raised all seven of their children. The next 30 years of employment was with American Motors and Chrys – ler Corporation as a Resident Engineer, retiring in 1987. He was a member of St. Paul the Apostle and St. Edwards Cath – olic Churches. In June 2018, Bob and Vernette moved to Cumberland, WI to live near family on beautiful Lower Vermillion Lake. They have enjoyed making new friends while playing bridge at the Cumberland Senior Center. The Northwest WI region is very dear to them because Ver – nette grew up in Stanley, they honeymooned in Spooner, and Birchwood hosted 40 years of family fishing vacations.
Bob was a man of integrity who valued family together – ness, honesty, responsibility, hard work and loving others. He passed along his love of cards to his grandchildren, played in numerous bridge clubs, enjoyed gardening, fishing, reading history books, cross-country skiing, golfing and traveling our country with Vernette. Many hours were spent working with his favor – ite wood, walnut, and making beautiful wood furniture for his family. Saturday’s meant that you could count on a big pot of Dad’s soup to welcome you home again.
Survivors include his wife of 73 years, Vernette, his chil – dren Robert G Jr. (Ginny), William, James, Maryann (William) Coyne, Michael, Patrick (Lisa), & Kathleen (David) Wilks; his grand – children, Joseph & Heather Cairns, Heath & Jacque Bud – den, Aaron & Emily Hubbs, Brandon & Samantha Wipf, Eric & Erin Cairns, Scott & Trisha Cairns, Laura & Bran – don O’Connell, Patrick & Mia Coyne, Jonathan Coyne, Rob – ert & Kate Coyne, Joshua & Jenna Cairns, Christopher & Marie Cairns, Mitchell Cairns, Andrew Wilks, Margaret Wilks, Eleanor Wilks; his great-grandchildren Joseph Cairns, Elizabeth Cairns, Ja – cob Cairns, Catherine Cairns, Robert Budden, Elanor Bud – den, David Budden, Claire Budden, Autumn Budden, Virginia Budden, Anne Wipf, Eva Wipf, Miles Wipf, Dane Cairns, Noelle Cairns, Chris –
tian Cairns, the late Kenne – dy O’Connell, Remi Coyne and Zara Coyne; and his step-grandchildren Drake & Dawn Dahms, Shara & Chris Reilly, Shane & Angie Solt – vedt, and Kristiaan & Laura Vergel de Dios and his stepgreat grandchildren Audrey, John, Jessica, Drake Jr., Mi – chael, Colin, Matt, Reagan, Maryn, Samuel, Drew, Gus, and Finn.
A Celebration of Life ser – vice followed by Full Military Honors will be at St. Paul Lu – theran Church in Cumberland, WI on May 7, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor John Miels giving the final blessing. Vis – itation will be from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. A private Intern – ment ceremony will occur at Northern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Spoon –
er, WI. skinnerfh.com
