Robert Earl Porath died at Bethel Home nursing home in Viroqua, Wis., on Friday, Sept. 8. He was 93. Bob Porath was born April 21, 1924, in Milwaukee to Hilda Josephine Andersen Porath and Max Earl Porath. He married Ruth Anna Olm on Sept. 19, 1947, in Milwaukee. Ruth preceded him in death in 2000. Their child, Ellen Dodge Severson of La Crosse, married Eric Severson. Grandchild: Johanna Porath Severson, of Winona, Minnesota. Bob lived a full, generous life with a ready laugh. He loved to tell stories. He adored his grandkid. He would pick up Jo from elementary school on early-release days and theyd play at the La Crosse childrens museum or ring all the display doorbells at Home Depot. He was proud to finance an eighth of Jos pet boa constrictor, because grandpas can get away with stuff like that. Bob was the kind of extrovert who could send introverts diving for cover, but his heart was huge. He volunteered for years at the VA Hospital in Madison, led and volunteered with veterans groups, and loved to sponsor clothes/supplies for students. He was a key worker in renovating the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in La Crosse, his spiritual home in his final years. Bob graduated from Walker Junior High School and South Division Senior High School in Milwaukee, joining the U.S. Navy submarine service in World War II. He served on the submarine USS S-32 (SS-137) and, later, from 1943 to 1945, served as a machinist on the USS Hammerhead (SS-364). After being discharged, Bob worked as a diesel engineer, at first with Nordberg Manufacturing and later with such companies as Cooper-Bessemer and Raytheon Corp. and finally, a few decades as an independent diesel contractor. He traveled around the world, building and fixing huge engines that powered municipal power plants, mine hoists and ore boats. (This meant the toys he continued to play with in his retirement filled a two-car garage.) Along the way, he and Ruth lived in Wisconsin, Texas, Minnesota and Ohio. Ruth and Bob finally came to rest in Buffalo City, Wis., where Bob took care of Ruth in her final battle with Alzheimers and served as chaplain for WWII US Submarine Veterans. Bob moved to La Crosse after Ruths death and kept busy as a fixit guy at the Pump House Regional Arts Center and as a city crossing guard, where he protected and entertained children at the intersection of Cass and Losey. On his 80th birthday, he was thrilled to have his family show up at his intersection with balloons, signs and treats - and to watch as children, parents, truckers and police officers wished him well. Visitation WEDNESDAY, September 13, 2017 from 9:30-11:00 AM at the Funeral Home. Funeral Service at 11 AM. Military Honors and interment at Woodlawn Cemetery to follow. Memorials to Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of La Crosse, 401 West Ave. South, La Crosse, WI 54601 are appreciated. Prasser-Kleczka Funeral Home Bay View Chapel 3275 So. Howell Ave. 414-483-2322