Robert James “Bob” Loots
Robert James “Bob” Loots passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 29, 2024, at the age of 92, surrounded by his three children. He was predeceased by his dear wife of over 67 years, Mary Ladd Loots. Bob is survived by their three children: James Mason Loots (Barbara) of Washington, D.C., Margaret Loots Collier (Christopher) of Granger, IN, and Catherine Loots Karcher (the late John “Scott”) of Cedarburg, WI. Beloved grandchildren are: Mason, Karl and Bette Maren Loots, Lindsey Collier Bressler (Ben), David Collier (Lauren), Ben Collier (Shannon), Tim Karcher (Christy) and Christian Karcher (Jessica). Great grandchildren are Cecilia, Evelyn, Henry and Oliver Karcher and Madeline and Claire Bressler. Another great grandson is due in May. Bob was preceded in death by his parents and siblings. He will be dearly missed by many other family members and friends.
Bob was born on March 6, 1931, in Havelock, Iowa, the youngest of four children (siblings John, Virginia and Jeanne) of John and Mary Livingston Loots. He spent his youth in Clinton, Iowa, where his many activities included singing in quartets with his siblings and playing trombone in his own dance band. After graduating Clinton High School, Bob attended the University of Iowa, where he was president of the Delta Tau Delta social fraternity. It was there he met the love of his life, whom he married in 1954. Immediately after their wedding, Bob and Mary moved to San Diego while he served as an officer in the U.S. Navy until 1956, including deployments to the Western Pacific.
His tour of duty complete, Bob and Mary returned to Iowa City where Bob completed his legal studies at the University of Iowa College of Law. He was an editor of the Iowa Law Review and in 1958 graduated with highest distinction. After graduation, they moved with their newborn son to Milwaukee where Bob became the first associate in a newly-formed law firm and began a distinguished career that lasted more than five decades, all with the same firm and its successors (now von Briesen & Roper, s.c.). Known for his integrity, dedication, and professionalism, his practice included a wide variety of corporate and securities issues as well as expertise in administration of trusts and estates, frequently lecturing and contributing to legal scholarship on each. Among other honors, Bob was chosen as a fellow in the American College of Trusts and Estates and was named annually in Best Lawyers in America.
Bob’s civic and charitable work enriched the community, serving as president and legal counsel for the Wisconsin United Methodist Foundation, as a lifetime director of the Iowa Law School Foundation, president of the Milwaukee Estate Planning Council and president of the North Shore Kiwanis. His Christian faith was always foremost in his life, spending more than 60 years with Mary as active members of the United Methodist Church of Whitefish Bay and more recently worshiping with his daughter at Alliance Bible Church in Mequon. With a lifelong love of music, he and Mary regularly attended and supported the arts, especially the Milwaukee Symphony and Milwaukee Ballet.
While Bob was a dedicated and successful professional and community member, his greatest devotion was to his wife and family. His unwavering dedication as husband, father and grandfather was his life’s defining role. He was humble, wise, kind, and gentle, and always present and supportive of his adoring family. Bob and Mary traveled extensively throughout the United States, Europe and the Far East, but the lakefront cabin they built in Northern Wisconsin was their favorite destination and site of many family gatherings, fishing, hiking, and almost daily sailing adventures aboard his beloved Sunfish sailboat . Bob and Mary truly treasured their children and grandchildren and the family memories made through the years.
Since Mary’s passing, Bob relocated to NewCastle Place, and the family is most grateful for the community and care he received there.
Visitation will be Friday, March 15, 2024, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Schmidt and Bartelt Funeral Home, 10280 N. Port Washington Road, Mequon. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, March 16, 2024, at Alliance Bible Church, 13939 N. Cedarburg Road, Mequon. Private burial service will be at Wisconsin Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts in his name to benefit the Iowa Law School Foundation may be directed to University of Iowa Center for Advancement, P.O. Box 4550, Iowa City, IA 52244.