Robert Forsberg

Robert A. Forsberg passed away on March 21, 2025 at the age of 94. He had endured a fall, hip surgery, and was recovering when he died in his sleep. Bob was born on November 6, 1930 in Julesburg, Colorado to Dorothy and Lloyd Forsberg. He grew up in St. Joseph and East Lansing, Michigan, moving to Madison, Wisconsin in 1947. He attended West High School and the University of Wisconsin. After graduating from the UW he entered the Navy, attending Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island, and served on the USS Bellatrix as a Gunnery Officer during the Korean War. After leaving the Navy he earned graduate degrees in Agronomy at UW Madison and did Post Doc work at North Carolina State in Raleigh, North Carolina. During a 30 year career at the University of Wisconsin Department of Agronomy, he taught plant genetics and statistics, developed new varieties of small grain crops, and served as department chair. He mentored graduate students from all over the world and was still in touch with his former students.

Bob married Darlene McLeod in 1958 in Madison. They raised 4 children and retired to Door County, Wisconsin in 1994. Darlene passed away in 2006, and Bob moved back to Madison in 2008.

Bob was a kind, gentle, and considerate man. He valued his work, family, church community, volunteer work, and friends (including The Group), and he enjoyed spending time gardening and doing home repairs. He lived a long and active life.

He was predeceased by his parents and his brother Charles (Chuck/Charlie). He is survived by his children: Jane (Mike) Torok of Bozeman, MT, Jim (Angie) Forsberg of Superior, WI, Ken (Robin) Forsberg of Washington, DC, Karen (Scott) Pedersen of Eden Prairie, MN; his grandchildren: Tucker Torok (Bozeman, MT), Travis Torok (Los Angeles, CA), Tyler Torok (Meg) of Waunakee, WI, Logan Pedersen (Mpls, MN), Cooper Pedersen, (Mpls, MN), Kylie Pedersen (Sioux Falls, SD), Macy Pedersen (Fort Collins, CO), Tate Appleforsberg (Washington, DC), and Osa Appleforsberg (Washington DC); his sister Margaret (Peg) of Long Beach, CA; and his nieces and nephews.

Bob was also predeceased by his second wife Margo, and is survived by her children Rick (Suzanne) Hanson, Tom (JoAn) Hanson, Cathy (Dick) Schmitz, Nancy (Mike) Lee, and Margo’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He was predeceased by special friend Mary Ellen Gerloff of Madison, WI, and is survived by special friend Karen Osborne of Madison, WI.

The family would like to thank pastor Sara Tonje from Westminster Presbyterian Church for visiting Bob in the hospital and providing comfort by praying with him.

A memorial service will be held at 11AM on Saturday April 26, 2025 at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 4100 Nakoma Road, Madison, WI. In lieu of flowers, gifts in Robert’s memory may be made online at supportuw.org/giveto/forsbergfund  Checks can be made payable to the  'UW Foundation' with a note to direct as a tribute to the "Robert A. Forsberg Graduate Student Support Fund #132061110.” Mail to UW Foundation, US Bank Lockbox Box 78807 Milwaukee, WI 53278-8807