John Robert Milne

Obituary JOHN ROBERT MILNE John (Bob to family) departed the green side of the sod July 17, 2020 while at home with family. Born May 31, 1924 in Philadelphia, PA, he was the eldest child of John Leslie and Charlotte Sherwood Milne. Raised in the Philadelphia suburb of Drexel Hill, he graduated from Upper Darby High School in 1942. That fall he enlisted in the Army and served with a Signal Corps Radio Intelligence Company in France and Germany. Following his discharge from the Army, he married Roberta (Bertie) Campbell Johnson, high school steady, on June 29, 1946. He is survived by children, son John Bruce (Darlene Richmond) Milne, East Troy, WI and daughter Nancy Milne (David) Gus, Fort Collins, CO; grandchildren John W. (Melissa) Milne, East Troy, WI; Tia Milne (Christian) Claffy, Naperville, IL; Adam C. (Tiffany) Milne, North Prairie, WI; Emily Gus, Philadelphia, PA, and Tyler Gus, Fort Collins; and eight great grandchildren; sister-in-law Ann Delamarta Milne, Sykesville MD. Predeceasing him are Roberta, sister and brother-in-law Anne and William Hines, brother and sister-in law David and Ellen Milne and brother William Milne. Employed by Kemper Insurance's Philadelphia Office in 1952, he transferred in 1956 to the Summit, NJ Regional Office. In 1964 he became Corporate Real Estate Officer in Chicago. John was the lead in the purchase of land and construction of the new Kemper Headquarters near Lake Zurich, Ili n 1970. He also worked with architects and contractors in the building of company offices in Quincy, MA, Decatur, IL, Dallas, TX, Charlotte, NC, and smaller cities in Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Iowa. Upon his December 1983 retirement, they moved to their Kentucky Lake home in Marshall County, Kentucky, During their 72 years of marriage, Roberta and John made homes in Upper Darby, PA, Florham Park, NJ, Highland Park, IL, Benton, KY and Fort Collins, CO. They were active members of Presbyterian or Methodist Churches at each stop of their journey. John participated in civic service through out his life. His most meaningful service was as co-founder, officer and builder for Habitat for Humanity Marshall County during 1989 thru 2005 for which he received a Kentucky Colonel Commission. In Fort Collins he was active member of Kiwanis Golden "K" Club and VITA income tax assistance. His interests focused on sailing, traveling and planning/building houses. Cruising in their 26' sloop "2nd Hand Rose" on Lake Michigan and Green Bay was the summer's must during the Illinois years. Next, came Elderhostels, ocean cruises, and foreign trips. In Kentucky, sailing Kentucky Lake and the planning, remodeling and building houses filled the days. John's last project in his 80's, a cabin on Rabbit Creek north of Livermore, CO. Due to the Covid virus, no memorial service is planned. John and Roberta's ashes will be spread in Kentucky. The family wishes to thank his doctors with UC Health, Pathways Hospice, and Seniors Helping Seniors for their care of Dad. Also, his many friends at Westminster Presbyterian Church, his exercise group, and his neighbors. Memorial donations would be welcomed by Berea College in Kentucky where they were long-time supporters. Read More Services You can still show your support by sending flowers directly to the family, or by planting a memorial tree in the memory of John Robert Milne