Rober J. "Bob" Hollister

Robert Hollister passed peacefully from this world into the arms of his Savior in the early morning hours of Nov. 29, 2019, the day after Thanksgiving. He was 86 years old.



He was born Nov. 22, 1933, and raised in Hartford, Connecticut, the eldest son of Sidney and Lucille Hollister.



He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Gillian "Jill" (nee Brady) Hollister, whom he worshipped and adored.



He is survived, and lovingly remembered by his 4 children and their spouses: Mark (Mary) Hollister, Beth (Daniel) Wilkins, Stephen (Linda) Hollister, and Megan (Robert) Hintz; his 11 grandchildren: Cassie, Mathew Hintz, Nikki, Jonathon, Michael, Daniel, Jacob, Stephen "Sammy", Benjamin, Taylor, and Joseph; and his 8 great-grandchildren: Tyler, Trinity, Luke, Trevor, Addison, Elaina, Eric, and Madeline.



He is further survived by his brother, Sidney Hollister, of San Francisco, along with many other family and friends from all phases of his life.



Bob graduated from Trinity College in Hartford CT, in 1955, then proudly served his country in the United States Air Force for 3 years, where he served as a flight navigator, based in Alaska. Returning home, he met the love of his life, Gillian Brady, on the shores of their beloved seaside community, Old Lyme Shores, and were married on August 8, 1958. Bob's career with Connecticut General Life Insurance led to relocation of the young couple to the Midwest, eventually settling in Brookfield, Wisconsin, where Bob and Jill raised their 4 children. Bob's career evolved from insurance to the then-fledgling field of financial planning, and he finished his career as the in-house financial and retirement advisor to clients of the Kolb Lauwasser Accounting Firm. He deeply enjoyed helping others to find a happy and secure path to their Golden Years.



In his own retirement, Bob planned and fulfilled an ambitious agenda that included community volunteering, writing his autobiography, learning to paint, and travels with Jill. Bob and Jill split their time between Hartland Wisconsin and Sarasota, Florida for many years, where they enjoyed cultural events, viewed many beautiful sunsets and made wonderful friends.



Bob had a deep and abiding Faith, which sustained him, and which was integral to his lifelong curiosity about the cosmos, philosophy, religion and all things eternal. He was an avid reader, and he loved nothing better than a good conversation with friends or family regarding whatever book he was currently reading.



He loved music, especially the beautiful singing of his wife, Gillian. He was an enthusiastic singer in church choirs, and an ardent supporter of the musical efforts of others, especially his children and grandchildren, to whom he was their Number One Fan.



He could talk to anybody and everybody, and especially loved greeting children, whom he found recharged his soul. He especially loved his own grandchildren, and made each one feel special and loved.



In his last years, he loved spending time at his favorite local coffee shops; holding court, greeting complete strangers with as much enthusiasm as lifelong friends. He became a local legend at several of these, known for his booming voice, laughter and kindness, in equal measure.



He will be forever remembered by his family as a gentle and loving man, who shared his love and joy of living every day with everyone he met.



Visitation will be held from 4-7:30 p.m. on Wednesday Dec. 4th at Evert-Luko Funeral Home in Hartland, brief vigil service to follow. Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 5th, at St Charles Catholic Church in Hartland.



If desired, please direct memorials in Bob's name to the Jesuit Retreat House of Oshkosh Wisconsin (jesuitretreathouse.org) or St. Charles Parish Building Fund, Hartland, Wisconsin.