Robert "Bob" Birmingham

Robert “Bob” Birmingham of Greendale passed into the arms of the Lord on January 24, 2023, at age 97 and is now reunited with his wife Marie, the love of his life for 65 years. Bob was the loving father of Robert A Birmingham, James Birmingham, Shary (Michael) Whalen, Jeff (Cindy) Birmingham and Jean (Michael) Coghlan. Cherished grandfather of Jennifer Birmingham, Michele (Donavan) Stohlberg , Rob (Natalia) Birmingham, Christopher (Ann) Whalen, Michael (Bridget) Coghlan, Melissa (Chris) Yokofich, Julie (Floyd) Gretzon, Lori Coghlan, Adam (Ashley VonAsten) Birmingham, Kevin Birmingham, Kayla (George) Hernandez, Amanda (Robert Davis) Birmingham, Renee Whalen, Alise (Tom Isenberg) Birmingham, and Alexys Birmingham. He is further survived by 25 great- grandchildren, and many other relatives and friends.

Bob is preceded in death by his loving wife Marie Sadler Birmingham, parents Ed and Ida Birmingham, siblings Frank (Lucille) Birmingham. Denis (Kandy) Birmingham, Delores (Brian) Williams, Yvonne (Jerry) Meuer, Marie (Bud) Croegaert, and daughter-in-laws Peggy Birmingham and Nancy Birmingham.

Bob was a World War II veteran. Bob attended Pius High School but left during his senior year to join the US Army Air Corps along with his older brother Frank. Both were assigned to an 8th Air Force bomber squadron stationed in England. Bob flew in combat as a nose gunner on a B24 Liberator bomber. On his fifth mission over Germany, his plane was badly damaged by anti-aircraft fire. With two engines out and a hole in the gas tank, they headed for Sweden, which was a neutral country during the war. They ran out of gas as they entered Sweden and had to bail out of the plane. Bob landed in a tree. Bob and his crew were interned in Sweden for the remainder of the war. He said it was a miracle that they all survived and that every day since that day was a blessing.

Soon after Bob returned from Sweden, he met the love of his life, Marie Sadler who was a cheerleader at Pius High School. When Bob was in the service, he bought three bottles of Chanel No. 5 perfume. One for his mother, one for his sister and one for the girl he would marry. Marie was that girl! They married a year later and subsequently raised five children.

With the aid of the GI Bill, Bob attended Marquette University and graduated with a B.S. Degree in Business Administration. He spent his career with Hotpoint, a Division of General Electric in Milwaukee. Bob's second career began after his retirement that was filled traveling with Marie, and charitable and community work. A devout Catholic, he was an active member of St. Alphonsus church where he ushered for 30 years. He established St Alphonsus Habitat for Humanity and served as a house leader and member of Habitat’s Board of Directors. During this period, the St. Alphonsus sponsored organization rehabbed nine homes and raised $100,000. Bob was active in the Greendale community as a member and of the Greendale Historical Society since 1976. Bob was a member of the Heritage League of the 2nd Air Division of the 8th Air Force and lifetime Member of the Greendale American Legion and Greendale V.F.W. He was also a 10 year member of the Greendale Lion’s Club and Greendale Senior Social Club.

Several books were written, and Bob appeared in the documentary “Lucky Strikes,” produced by Swedish Film-maker/Author and dear friend Jan-Olof Nilsoson. It tells the story of the Americans who crash landed in Sweden and were interned there until the end of WWII. “Lucky Strikes”' was shown in Greendale as a fund-raiser for the Veterans Memorial in Greendale and raised over 10,000.

Bob's children remember growing up in a household that was filled with love and joy. His great kindness was shown when he cared for his beloved Marie around the clock at their home during her long illness preceding her death in 2012. He remains greatly loved and missed by his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

The family would like to thank the staff at ProMedica home hospice for their kind and loving care.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor the memory of Bob Birmingham please send contributions to the Greendale Historical Society, St Vincent De Paul, or Habitat for Humanity.

Visitation with be held at 9:00AM on Thursday, February 2, 2023, at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church (5960 W Loomis Rd., Greendale) with Mass at 11:00AM. Burial will follow at Chapel Hill Cemetery (4775 S 60th St., Greenfield).