Bobby Joe Damon passed away unexpectedly at the early age of 43 due to cardiovascular disease.
The memorial gathering will be at Koepsell-Murray Funeral Home in Beaver Dam on Wednesday, May 27, 2015 from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. There will also be a memorial gathering at St. Stephen’s Ev. Lutheran Church in Beaver Dam on Thursday, May 28, 2015 from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. The memorial service will follow at the church on Thursday at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Philip Heyer officiating. Inurnment will be at Oakwood Cemetery in Beaver Dam.
Bobby was born in Madison, WI to Linda (Eggers) and the late William Damon. Bobby had very fond memories growing up and graduating in 1989 from Waunakee, WI. Bobby met Rachel on September 6, 2003 in Dane, WI. I will never forget the first time that I saw him at a softball game sitting on the bleachers talking with friends. We met through mutual friends and never parted, falling in love quickly. We got engaged on February 6, 2004 and married on April 9, 2005. He gave me four beautiful children. He moved to Beaver Dam and was planning to return to Waunakee, WI, but he developed so many new relationships that Beaver Dam became his new home. Bobby decided in 2005 to return to college and received his Associates Degree in Civil Engineering Technician landing his first job at Strand Associates in Madison, WI leaving there to work his current job, for the City of Sun Prairie.
The day that Bobby became a father was everything to him. Boston was born in 2005 and Addysen in 2006. He decided to be a stay-at-home father for the next 3 years. Emersen was born in 2009 and Marison in 2011. He lived every day for his children. Words cannot describe how proud that he was of his family. The love and support he gave for our family is incomprehensible. Our family was his priority, not his job, not sports…but family. He insisted dinner time as a family and we could not start eating until all members were present.
Bobby loved his dad with all of his heart and always missed him. They were very close inspiring him to be the man that Bill was. Bobby was a devoted son moving back to live with his mother when Bill died. Bobby wanted more than anything to be a father to follow in his father steps. He loved his mother, Brian, Brad and Brenda with all of his heart. He has three nephews and one niece that he loved so much he spent his extra time picking them up from daycare to spend the day with them. When Bobby became a part of my life, my family instantly fell in love with him.
Bobby’s love for sports was astonishing. ESPN was made for him. He knew statistics, players, coaches and he knew the game. He LOVED the Badgers, Packers and Brewers. Decades ago the Boston Red Sox became Bobby’s number one team making the journey to Fenway Park twice. We traveled all over WI and out-of-state to follow our nephews with their sports.
One of Bobby’s goals in life was to be a good coach for his own children and other children. He coached T-ball, machine pitch, league and travel ball. Hours were spent with fellow coaches developing these young men into athletes. He was so proud of each and every child that he coached. He was known to be an aggressive coach, but his explanation was that it was his responsibility to stand up for his players …and of course his competitive nature. One baseball mom would explain to people that it was the passion that drove Bobby Damon to be the coach he was. We developed an extended family within baseball, softball and hockey. Coaching for Bobby did not stop at baseball, as his goal was to inspire youth to become better people and develop passion for life. He was an instrumental member of the Beaver Dam Youth Baseball and Softball board.
Bobby thrived on his ability to relate to everyone he came in contact with. Bill taught him to respect his elders and he had very close ties with numerous aunts and uncles and other family members. He developed nick names which I believe was his way of developing instant and lifelong relationships. He would help out anyone, a friend, family or stranger. He was honored to have many wonderful lifelong friends.
I had the blessed opportunity to be married and develop a family with Bobby who became my best friend. The memories that we shared are so numerous. We were a great team and a solid unit to provide love for our children and family. We laughed together and frequently joked about the “short family” climbing out of the big Suburban. He taught me to stand up for myself becoming the woman you see before you. We shared our passion for baseball and softball. We built our home with our own hands. I made him into my handy man with all of my crazy projects. He also crafted with me, which he secretly enjoyed. On a daily basis he made me feel so loved, cherished and idolized, always insisting that he loved me more.
Bobby will truly be missed by so many people, and know that when you see Boston, Addysen, Emersen and Marison running around the baseball diamonds, that he is with us and that his spirt will live on through them. Each of these children carries his passion for life, his accomplishments, and his love. These blessed children will bring everyone much comfort and a continuous tender memories that remind us that Bobby Damon is their father. Our memories of him will spill over onto them and our job will be to remind these young children of their father.
He will be missed by his best friend and wife, Rachel Damon of Beaver Dam; adored children, Boston, Addysen, Emersen, and Marison, all at home; mother, Linda Damon of Waunakee; Brothers and sister, Brian Damon (Juanita Anderson) of Waunakee, Brad (Leslie) Damon of Waunakee, and Brenda (Felix) Stephens of Madison; parents-in-law, Pauline and Gary Schmidt of Beaver Dam; brothers-in-law and sister-in-law, Noah and Jenni Schmidt of Pardeeville and Andy Schmidt (Angela Krueger) of Beaver Dam; grandmother-in-law, Rosemary Schmidt of Beaver Dam; nieces and nephews, Zac and Broc Damon, Riley and Lauryn Damon, Adrianna, Savaunnah, and Amari Stephens, Nate and Riley Schmidt, Kaci, Tia, and Keelan Krueger; numerous aunts and uncles; serval cousins; and many friends. Bobby was preceded in death by his grandparents and his father, William in 1994.
The Koepsell-Murray Funeral Home in Beaver Dam is caring for the family. To leave online condolences, or for directions and other information, please visit our website at www.KoepsellFH.com
