Obituary of Robert William Lapp

Robert W. Lapp peacefully departed this life on Sunday, February 7th, 2016 at the Clement J Zablocki VA Medical Center in Milwaukee, WI at the age of 90. He was born on March 16th, 1925 in Pershing, Iowa to Effie (nee Ferree) and Clarence Lapp. When Bob was 11 years old, his family moved to Waukesha, WI, where he lived for 60 years. During the Great Depression, a major childhood accomplishment was achieved when Bob was 12 years old. After years of practice, Bob became the Waukesha District marbles champion. Later he was one of 12 finalists out of a starting field of over 38,000 entrants who competed in the state finals. Bob finished in 4th place, with a record of seven wins and four loses. As he grew into a young man, Bob graduated from Waukesha High School, and was inducted into the Army soon thereafter. He began his service to our country on June 18, 1943 in Milwaukee, WI. After completing basic training in Michigan, Bob was transferred to a prisoner of war camp in Ruston, Louisiana, where he served with the 490th military police guarding German prisoners. After about a year, Private First Class Robert Lapp and his unit shipped out to the European theater of WWII. He was with the 3rd Battalion, 232nd Infantry of the 42nd (Rainbow) Division. Bob's unit was near Strasbourg, France when they were surrounded by German forces and taken prisoner on January 5, 1945. They rode freight trains and had many forced marches for nearly three weeks in harsh winter weather conditions. The soldiers occupied three different prison camps west of Berlin. At this time, the Nazis were losing significant ground while the Allied army was closing in. Under Hitler's direction, all resources were diverted toward the war effort. This meant that the German citizens had shortages of food, clothing, money, etc. As difficult as that was, the Allied prisoners faced much worse privations, because they were the last to be considered. Slow starvation and malnutrition, frostbite, parasites, dysentery, pneumonia, tuberculosis, and depression were only a few of the health threats prisoners faced while in captivity. Bob suffered from frostbite, knee pain due to an injury, and pneumonia while performing hard labor with his comrades. His mother, Effie, was notified that her 19 year old son was missing in action, because the War Department couldn't say with any certainty where Bob's unit was or what had happened to them. On April 13, 1945 the prisoners were liberated by Pattons' 3rd Armored Division. By this time, Bob and the other prisoners were seriously ill and underweight. Eventually, they were sent back to the US. Bob was brought to Resthaven in Waukesha. The young corporal spent nearly three years in this hospital for veterans, recovering from tuberculosis. It was during this time Bob found out that while his was in the POW camp, his parents were going to have another baby. (He later joked that they were trying to replace him.) In 1946, General Omar N. Bradley came to Resthaven and visited with Bob and two other local vets. During Bob's service in the Army, he was in a number of Rhineland battles and campaigns. He earned the Bronze Star, WWII Victory Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, Eamet Ribbon, and the American Theater Ribbon. Many years later, Bob commented on his time in Europe; "I've often said that I wouldn't take a million dollars for my wartime experiences, nor would I want to go through them again." After Bob was honorably discharged from the Army on November 27, 1945 and released from the hospital, he went to Carrol College and Milwaukee Business School, where he earned a BA in Business Administration through the GI Bill. He also married his first wife, Shirley Bridges, and started raising a family that he dearly loved. After a few jobs, Bob worked at RT & E as an accountant. This company later changed it's name to Cooper Industries, and finally Eaton Corporation. He retired from there as a senior accountant after 25 years of faithful service. Bob was part of the future when the company went to computer-based technology. The computer was so large it filled two rooms. During these years, Bob enjoyed being a husband, father, and grandfather. Along with his mother-in-law, Charlotte Bridges, he recorded family events with a light bar, and eight reel recording. He left a historic recording of many blessed events. Bob was always very organized and labeled just about everything. His children and grandchildren fondly remember shooting pool on the billiard table, and happily raiding the well-stocked soda refrigerator. Bob was also an amateur magician and delighted in playing tricks on his grandchildren. He was so proud of his family. It was also at this time when Bob developed a regular habit of going to the YMCA with his Waukesha friends. They worked out at the Early Bird class three days a week, and went out for breakfast afterward. Bob cherished his long-time friendships, and continued this routine for several decades. He was an avid bowler, poker player, and liked to play horseshoes.Bob also participated in charitable work with Shriners International and Freemasonry. Later in life, he married Donna Darnutzer and spent his summers at a private campground called Nature's Villa. Bob made many more close friends, and went golfing there frequently. He still drove to Waukesha three days a week to go to the YMCA. Each year Bob participated in the 4th of July parade, and he always carried the black and white POW/MIA flag. There were many good times at Nature's Villa, including their wedding, kids and grandkids toasting marshmallows in the fire pit in front of their trailer, and various potluck dinners and parties held at the clubhouse.The rest of the year was spent at their home in FL. Some of the gang from Nature's Villa also relocated there. Bob and Donna were residents of FL for 20 years. Bob also attended annual reunions with fellow veterans and ex-POWs. Though they loved their life in FL, they were ready to move back to WI last September to be near their family again.. Bob was preceded in death by his sisters Myrna Delsman and Melba Zimmerman, and his brother Jim Lapp. He is survived by his wife Donna Lapp, (nee Schwabenbauer) his children Pamela (Morgan) Hamm, Robert (Mary) Lapp, and William (Cathi) Lapp. Also his grandchildren, Maureen Spataro, Maggie Bridges, Michael Hamm, Jaimi Pfau, Josh and Christopher Lapp, as well as seven great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his first wife, Shirley Bridges, his brothers Gene Lapp and Denny Lapp, and many nieces and nephews. Bob is further survived by his step-children, Nancy Austiff, Shelly Darnutzer, and Michael Darnutzer; as well as his step-grandchildren, Matthew and Graham Austiff, and Kayla Darnutzer. Bob had a beautiful, full life; filled with many family members, wonderful friends in WI and FL, and his Army "band of brothers." His bright smile, silly jokes, and positive attitude will always be remembered. We are honored to have been a part of his life. He was truly a kind and loving gentleman. He will be dearly missed. Services will be held on Tues. Feb 16th at the Cesarz, Charapata & Zinnecker Funeral Home on 237 N. Moreland Blvd, Waukesha, WI 53188. Visitation is from 9:00am to 11:00am. Memorial service is at 11:00am. Interment will be held Wed. Feb 17th at the Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery, located at 21731 Spring St., Union Grove, WI 53182. Chapel service with military honors will be held at 11:00am with internment to follow. In lieu of flowers, the families request that memorial gifts be sent to the Wounded Warrior Project. If you'd like to offer a small tribute to Bob, the next time you're attending a parade or sporting event, and the American flag is displayed and the national anthem is playing, simply stand up, remove your hat, place it over your heart and maintain a respectful moment of silence, (or sing). That's all that's necessary to honor Bob, other veterans, and service members. Our families wish to thank all of Bob's home health nurses, therapists, and caregivers. Because of you, he could continue to stay in his home with his loving wife beside him for as long as possible. We're so very grateful to you!