Robert “Bob” L. Sullivan III, affectionately known as “Bub” or “Sully,” died on Jan. 5, 2025 at his home in Burlington.
Bob was born in Burlington on March 22, 1951 to Robert and June Sullivan. The second of eight children, he and his siblings were raised in an atmosphere best described as “delightful chaos.” It was within the loving walls of their home where Bob formed the guiding principle of his life: Family first, always.
After graduating from Burlington High School in 1969, Bob attended the University of Notre Dame, spending his undergrad years in the company of his BAGS Hall boys, graduating in 1973 with an English degree. He later earned his master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
On September 25, 1976, Bob and Patricia Lawrence were married at the home of Joe and Cynie Lawrence on Browns Lake, a special place that provided countless cherished memories. They soon landed on Summit Avenue in Burlington, starting their family and creating some delightful chaos of their own.
Bob’s professional life contained multitudes, and he eventually found his calling working with students as a counselor, and golf and tennis coach at Big Foot High School in Walworth. He possessed a unique ability to connect with young people, always meeting students where they were. He listened and offered practical guidance and unwavering support as they navigated their challenging teenage years. Nothing made him prouder than watching the thousands of students he coached and mentored find their way in the world.
Bob believed in the importance of being an active citizen. He walked that walk over the years as a member of the school board, park board, arts council, Partners2, and the Golf Coaches Association of Wisconsin. He was the driving force behind Tall Tales Music Festival, volunteering thousands of hours to will the festival into existence year after year. He took great pride in bringing talented artists from around the world to Burlington to share his love of music with the community.
Bob loved the game of golf. What drew him to the sport was not the competition or the scorecard, it was simply spending a nice day on the course with family or his longtime golf pals Jerry, Mike, and Doug. He revered the simple life lessons the game of golf provides: Acting with integrity, showing consideration for others, taking good care of the course, and always “playing the ball as it lies.”
Above all else, Bob treasured family. He cherished his duties as host of the annual Sullivan Christmas fondue dinner. He loved to bake, especially when his grandchildren were around to make cinnamon rolls or “punch” his cracked wheat bread dough before popping it in the oven. The best days were Tuesdays and Thursdays in the summer, when he and Patti hosted their grandchildren for epic adventures at Camp G&G.
In retirement, Bob was a constant presence in downtown Burlington, bouncing between The Coffee House and Low Daily Brewery. At The Coffee House, he was the first to arrive each morning to bake cookies, muffins, and roll his famous bagels with his baking buddy Jenny. At Low Daily Brewery, he was instrumental in transforming the historic Standard Press building into an important community-gathering place.
He is loved by his wife Patti; his children, Patrick (Sarah) Sullivan, Annie (Adam) Reesman, Mark (Allison Duchac) Sullivan, and Timothy (Claire) Sullivan; his grandchildren, Madelyn, Cormac, Hannah, Paige, Finola, and Flynn. He is further loved by his siblings, Sharry Sullivan, Paul (Rhonda) Sullivan, Susan (Bob) Rubach, Mo (Reid) Olson, Patrick (Debra Patterson) Sullivan, and Maggie (Bob Collins) McCollum; his mother-in-law Cynie Lawrence; his brothers-in-law Joe (Bonnie Bellehumeur) Lawrence and Marc (Lilly) Lawrence; sister-in-law Lynn (Bob) Snyder; his adored nieces, nephews, cousins, and countless friends, including his Birchwood Boys, Elvin, Gene, Jack, Jim, Mike, and Peter.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents Bob and June Sullivan, his father-in-law Joe Lawrence, his brother Kevin Sullivan, and his nephew Shawn Goetz.
A celebration will take place at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025 at The Coffee House in Burlington. Please come as you are. You know Bob would probably be wearing shorts and a threadbare Wisconsin or Notre Dame hoodie. So let’s keep it casual.
In lieu of flowers or memorials, Bob would simply want you to take a moment to appreciate the beauty around you, find the best in others, and do your part to leave the world just a little bit better.
“These are days you’ll remember, never before and never since, I promise will the whole world be warm as this and as you feel it, you’ll know it’s true. That you are blessed and lucky” By 10,000 Maniacs. “These Are Days.” Our Time In Eden, Elektra, 1992.
Schuette-Daniels Funeral Home is serving the family. Well-wishers may visit www.danielsfamilyfuneral.com.
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