Passing of Bob Southard


Word was received Monday of the passing of Robert “Bob” Southard, 91, a local broadcasting executive who became an early and lifelong champion of UW-Green Bay. Southard’s record of support is well documented, culminating with presentation in May 2012 of a Founders Lifetime Achievement Award. The University and its Founders Association Board thanked him “for lending his voice through gracious persuasion, philanthropy and advocacy on behalf of UW-Green Bay faculty, staff and students… and for expressing, over the course of four decades, the importance of a local, public University to a healthy and vibrant region for generations to come.” Southard’s involvement with UWGB dated to the days when the campus was still mainly a concept, as newly arrived Founding Chancellor Ed Weidner reached out in 1966 to discuss how the University could best partner with its community. Visitation is 4 to 8 p.m. this Thursday (Oct. 29) at Proko-Wall Funeral Home on East Mason, and at 10 a.m. Friday at Holy Cross Catholic Church on Bay Settlement Road, prior to the 11 a.m. Mass. For photos and more from the 2012 ceremony honoring Southard, see our archived coverage.