Robert D. Read, 78, of Lake Geneva, died peacefully on January 18, 2013. He was born in Lake Geneva on May 17, 1934, to Milton and Dorothy LaBarre Read.
He was a graduate of Lake Geneva High School where he played varsity basketball and football. He then earned a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin— Madison, and upon graduation went to work for RR Donnelly, a large publishing company based in Chicago. There he managed numerous accounts but ultimately he decided it was not his calling. He returned to Madison to earn a law degree from the university.
Bob practiced law in the private sector, both at the beginning and end of his professional career, initially with “Buzz” Braden’s firm now known as Braden, Olson and Draper of Lake Geneva. He was appointed by Walworth County District Attorney Bill Seymour to the post of Assistant District Attorney. Upon Mr. Seymour’s retirement, he ran for and was elected to the office of D.A. Following that he served Walworth County as Circuit Court Judge and then returned to private practice in Delavan.
He resided in Delavan for more than forty years. With his wife Dorothy, he lived a full and happy life on the corner of Borg Road and North Shore Drive. A rock-solid patriot, every day he dutifully made sure the American Flag in the front yard was secure and flying high. He was a long-time member of the Delavan-Darien Rotary Club, and Christ Episcopal Church of Delavan. Bob enjoyed a life-long passion for and devotion to the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Cubs.
The family sincerely thanks both Ridgestone Village and Geneva Lake Manor and their excellent staffs for the fine care they provided Bob, as well as Dr. Clifford Poplar, Christ Episcopal Church, Father Bill Myrick, and Bob’s life-long friends and family.
Survivors include his stepsons, David and Jim Matson of Milwaukee, and Paul Matson of Nevada City, Calif.; their children David Matson Jr. of Janesville, Emily and Alexandria Matson of Milwaukee, Elizabeth Matson of Nevada City, Calif., and John Matson of Brooklyn, N.Y.; his stepmother Jean Read Hoagland of Clearwater, Fla.; sisters Gail Read Thoreson of Lake Geneva, Patti (Brian) Read Ozment of Clearwater, Fla., brother Tom (Melissa) of Naples, FL; nieces Vicki (Sam) Thoreson Carrion of Grass Valley, Calif., and Becky Thoreson of Melbourne, Fla.; grand-nephew Bradley Carrion of Grass Valley, Calif.; cousins Becky Grunwald, Sue Gerber and Clarence Read; as well as many other loving relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife Dorothy, his parents, and his brother-in-law, Bradley Thoreson.
Services will be at Christ Episcopal Church of Delavan, 503 E. Walworth Ave, on Saturday, June 1, with social visit at 10 a.m., service at 11 a.m. and a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the church.
