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Obituary

Robin Russell Lee

August 19, 2022 | 31 comments

Robin Russell Lee, 64, of La Crosse, passed away at home surrounded by his family on August 16, 2022, after an unexpected and rapid battle with cancer.

Robin was born on April 3, 1958, to Raymond and Carol Lee. He grew up in the La Crosse area and graduated from La Crosse Central High School in 1976. He had worked as a manager for his parents who owned and operated Showboat Lanes and Showboat North Bowling Alleys in La Crosse. Robin attended WWTC and received a degree in HVAC; where he then went on to work for Trane Company. He acquired a bachelor’s degree from Viterbo University while at Trane Company, whereby he worked in various capacities during his 28 years and retired as a technical service engineer on May 2, 2021.

Robin loved his family, riding his Harley, football games as a season ticket holder and shareholder of the Green Bay Packers – rarely missing a game and screaming “GO PACK GO!!” at Lambeau Field. He enjoyed traveling with his wife to many places nationally and internationally for vacations, and pulling his camper/toy hauler to several parks throughout the U.S. Robin’s other passion was rebuilding their home, along with doing projects as a handyman capacity for family and friends; he truly was a jack of all trades.

He is survived by his wife, Angella, and their blended family; his 3 children: Rachel (Jason) Beard, Rustin (Donna) Lee, and Justin Miller; his 2 step-children: Karie (Jon) Hamernik, Jacob Hanifl (Debie Evans-Hanifl); his 7 grandchildren: Morgan and Nathan Hamernik, Porsha Hanifl, Cian Evans-Grayson, Lillian Shulfer, Taylor and Calvin Beard; his mother: Carol Lee; his mother-in-law, Avanelle Genz; his sisters: Pamela (Robert) Rochester; Lisa (Tom) Lydon; and Jennifer (Troy) Olson; along with many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He is preceded in death by his father, Raymond Lee; his father-in-law, Gerald Genz; grandparents and other relatives.

Online condolences may be given at couleecremation.com. His family would like to thank Gundersen Lutheran Hospice care team for the compassionate care received while at home.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Gundersen Lutheran Hospice or to WWTC scholarship program for students pursuing a career in HVAC

A CELEBRATION OF LIFE EVENT FOR ROBIN RUSSELL LEE will be held on Sunday, September 25, 2022 From: 2:00p – 5:00, at Ardies Restaurant & Flipside Pub & Grill, 400 Lang Dr., La Crosse, WI  54603

*Please kindly RSVP by commenting on this obituary only if you plan to attend, along with number of attendees by September 15th.

 

 

Condolences

31 Comments

  1. Carol (Amann) Reichhoff

    I’m deeply sorry your family is experiencing the pain of losing Robin so suddenly. My heart goes out to each of you. Wishing your family comfort and strength for the days and weeks ahead. We’ll be praying for all of you. I will remember Robin as a kind and caring man. Rest in peace dear cousin. ? with love, Carol

  2. Michelle & Maison Hazaimeh

    Shocked and deeply saddened by the loss of a dear Friend. Robin was a wonderful leader,and always there to lend a helping hand,when needed. He helped me in more ways than none, and was so appreciated.

    Words cannot express enough,how sorry I am Angela and Family.
    Thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time.

  3. Jeff Fredricks

    So sad. I know Robin from bowling at Showboat and played softball with him for a season. He often had a smile on his face and a kind word on his lips.

  4. Joan

    Angie, I am so saddened by this news. Please know our hearts are aching for you and your family.

    • Mark W Bell

      I know Robin from both bowling and softball. Matter of fact no b s. type guy. Good friend and bowling teacher. Helped me become a 200 bowler as a teen. Always a kind word but 1st to call you out if he thought you were full of it. Gonna miss his contagious laugh. So sorry to hear of your families sudden loss. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Robin…….R.I.P.my friend…..

    • Carol Ghelfi-Boshcka

      So very sorry for your loss. Another family member gone too soon!
      RIP Robin.

  5. Pamela McTaggart

    My dearest Angie, I am numb, still processing this news, after all we have been through over the years…..I have asked God to wrap His arms around you and comfort you and grant you understanding and peace in knowing that God has a plan for each and everyone of us…..you know that I am always here for you when ever you are ready, day or night!!! And you are never alone, God is always with us no matter what and even though we may not understand His mysterious methods and plans…..Psalm 23: The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want, He leadeth me in green pastures, He restoreth my soul, He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Yea though I walk through the valley of death I will fear no evil, for thou art with me, thy rod and they staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies; thou anointest my head with oil, my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Amen

    • Linda

      I will be in attendance

    • Norm and Jackie Oldenburg

      We are so sorry to hear of Robin’s passing. We know him from bowling and softball back in the day. My husband and I will be attending his celebration of life.

  6. Betty Maier

    So sorry to read of Robins passing. My heart goes out to you all. Deepest sympathy Betty

  7. Nancy Rose

    We, as a family, feel blessed to have known him, Angie and their family as we were “alley” neighbors for many years. Robin was sooooooo talented & could do and or fix anything and was always willing and able to help those of us “not so talented.” He will be missed by all who knew and loved him, esp us. We wish we would have had the opportunity to say good bye for now to such a true friend.
    Steve & Nancy Rose

  8. Sue & Tim DURTSCHE

    I know I told you this before and last week but I’ll say it again. Robin was truly a great neighbor and friend. We became neighbors before he was blessed to have you come into his life, Angie. We all laughed how he really got organized on project completion once you captured his heart. You helped turn his house into a home. He loved all the kids so fiercely. Not a conversation would happen that wouldn’t include his pride in the kids or the grandkids and some specific project they were doing in their lives. Or an adventure you were going to go on. Remember when he finally got his season tickets to the Pack???? It was better than fireworks watching his excitement. It was a blast snowblowing the alley and sidewalks with him for so many years and I don’t even like winter. The best thing about Robin was not that he would help anybody….it was that he actually did help anybody and everybody. It changed my idea of what angels look like—they wear green & gold and drive bright green Harleys. He adored all of you and we all loved you guys as a couple and as neighbors.

  9. Jerry and Barb Tripp

    Extending our deepest sympathy to Robin’s family. It was a pleasure working with Robin at Trane.

  10. Kathy Haugan

    So sorry for your loss. I will always remember Robin as one of the best architects and builders. He was one the creators of the tree fort. I have the best memories of that year of two when we hung out at the brick fort or tree fort. I will always remember Robin as a nineth grader and the great time we all had. Rest In Peace Robin!

  11. Ken Schultz

    Dear Angella and family, so shocked to see Robin’s obituary in the paper this morning! I worked with Robin at Trane from early on. He was a key player in our Horizon Absorption Chiller development program during the 1990s, running tests in the lab and then servicing them in the field. He provided the hands-on know-how to our team of young engineers as we translated theory into design into hardware.

    I’m thankful to have talked with Robin, can’t be more than 4-6 weeks ago. He was bringing his mother to the weekly Wed morning communion service at OCC that my wife and I help with. He was upbeat as always, talking about your motorcycle trips, enjoying retirement. Left me thinking that maybe I should begin the retirement thing myself.

    I am sure you miss him greatly. Prayers that your memories will bring you comfort in the days ahead.

  12. Joe Weitekamp

    My deepest sympathies to the family of an extraordinary human being. I’m saddened that Robin and Angie were just beginning to live life large and celebrate retirement from a great career. I’ll never forget everything he did for people during his working years at Trane.

  13. Mike and Julie Morse

    We are so shocked and saddened to learn of Robin’s passing. He was under Mike’s “wing” for a while at Trane but Mike knew Robin was smart, learned fast, and he learned things from Robin. They were a great team together. We also remember Robin helping Mike put a new engine in our kid’s Buick. He was so talented. We will do our best to come over and honor Robin’s life in September. Please know that you are all in our thoughts and prayers.

    • Julie Morse

      Mike and Julie Morse will attend the celebration of life

  14. Ben Sykora

    I worked with Robin at Trane and got to travel with him to a handful of customer sites. His granddaughter Lilly is similar in age to my daughter Maggie, so we would compare pictures and talk about how quickly they grow up. Robin was such a pleasure to be around. Deepest condolences to Angella and the rest of the family.

  15. The Hon. Judge, Rev. Everett D. Mitchell, Sr. Pastor

    The Honorable Rev. Everett D. Mitchell, ministers, officers, and members of Christ the Solid Rock Baptist Church, Madison, WI, wish to express our heartfelt thoughts and prayers to our members, Jacob Hanifl and wife Debie Evans-Hanifl at the passing of Jacob’s stepfather, Robin Russell Lee. Whereas the passing of your beloved stepfather leaves a circle that has been broken by sorrow, know that your church family continues to embrace you. We are connected. Know that the common bond that connects us will never be broken. Please share our condolences to Angella.

    • Mike Pieterick

      Very sorry to learn just now of Robin’s passing. We were friends in our teens and early twenties. I first met him and his parents thru bowling at Showboat lanes. I will never forget the road trip we (he and I and one other friend) took. Robin was to bowl in nationals in FL over spring break so we took his parents camper to New Orleans and then on to the FL Keys. Two weeks of endless (but “foggy”) fun. Robin we nailed it!! You were a fabulous wing man. Sorry we lost touch years ago. But I am happy to read that it sounds like your life’s journey was a good one my friend. I’m not surprised. It was obvious you were a good soul. My condolences to your family. The pain hurts, but he is in a good place now. Probably bowling 800’s. I may be seeing you sooner rather than later my friend, so keep the “7 and 7s” ready!

  16. Jason Wang

    I was lucky to have gotten to know Robin over the past few years through a few real estate transactions. I really enjoyed the conversations that we had. Was a super great guy. My condolences to all the family and friends. Robin will be truly missed.

  17. Cheryl Wilson-Turner

    I believe I and my sister Cyndi first Robin at Chipmunk Coulee 4-H club way back in 69′ we had quite a group back then. Carol hosted a few get togethers. Robin always was a good friend and straight shooter, he also had a great sense of humor. I have not seen him for many years but he really had not changed much. Back then he loved to go skiing downhill way before the driving years. We all had so many great times. You could tell his family loved him to pieces. My sincere condolences to all the family.

  18. Cheryl (Cheri) Wilson-Turner

    Sincere Condolences to all the family. First met Robin at a 4-H meeting about ’69 and we all became great friends, Robin had a great sense of humor and was a straight shooter. He loved his family, he loved skiing, sledding and snowball fights in the winter. Summer was all about the river, swimming, skiing and bomb fires. We can’t forget bowling which was an all season activity. Robin you were definitely one of a kind and Thanks for being who you are.

  19. Carla Jean Seeks

    Robin, you were so helpful when we sold your mum’s bowling alley across from Sloopy’s. Remember when we found the tunnel? We could not have done it without your input.
    I remember your wedding with Angella-at Pettibone. We sat with Grama Jo and you looked so happy and Angie beautiful.
    Grama Jo was so happy for you as were we.
    We were in Boston when Jenny texted us, saying please call me. It was truly heartbreaking to learn of your passing.
    If your family needs me to go to OCC to get Carol to communion on Wednesday, I’m your girl. Have Jennifer advise me.
    Always a good memory, GO PACK GO! RIP Robin
    Carla n Richard Seeks

  20. Pam Clark

    Reading Robins obit breaks my heart. So sorry for your loss. I worked for Ray, Carol and Robin at Showboat South. Such great memories and such a nice family. I enjoyed that job more than any other I have had. Such good times and such a nice guy. RIP Robin. Wish I could stop by Flipside but will be out of town. Prayers to the family, you are all in my thoughts and prayers.

  21. Greg Sutton

    It was a pleasure working with Robin at Trane for many years and it was a real shock to hear of his passing. Robin had a strong zeal for life as was apparent anytime you asked him about his family, hobbies, and even his passion for serving his customers at Trane. My condolences to Angie and the rest of his family and many friends. May he rest in peace.

  22. Dennis and Linda Justin

    We are so sorry for your loss! It is way hard to believe as this came on so quick! So glad a couple of us got to see and visit with Robin recently.
    Robin was a great man, great coworker and teammate at Trane! He loved helping anyone with a question. Technicians loved to get him on the phone and pick his broad wealth of knowledge!
    Robin was a great guy to hang out with too! Recalling us Trane guys together out on the front porch having Chicago Dogs from a Chicago coworker (Dave H), and another time playing Hammerschlagen ! Packer games too were great yelling with Robin leading “GO PACK GO” & “First Down!”
    Thoughts are with you all!

  23. Dave and Nancy Heimerdinger and family

    Robin was always happy and cheerful and really was a joy to be around. He seemed to really enjoy life and especially those darn Green Bay Packers. Robin was also a mentor who helped myself and many others with technical information and advice many times over the past 21 years. He was one of the great ones and will be missed. I honestly feel Robin lived every minute of a great life even if it was too short he lived it well. I will think of him often when I feel down or in need cheering up.

  24. Dave Wulf

    RIP Robin. God took you too early. You were a good person and will be missed by many which is a testament to your life.

  25. Andrea Kay & Nao Tsumagari

    I was so shocked by the news, my husband and I enjoyed our time working with Robin at Trane. He was always a happy coworker, and enjoyed showing pictures of his latest grandchild. We will make the celebration of life on Sunday.

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