Robert Lee Wooden “Ol Bopper” passed away February 19, 2019 at the Galena Stauss Senior Care Community at the age of 93. Cremation rites have been accorded. As a Past Master of Integrity Lodge #997 A.F. and A.M. and of Miner’s Lodge #273 A.F. and A.M. Robert will receive a Masonic memorial service at the Ferry Landing in Galena, IL on April 20, hopefully the weather is more cooperative. His memorial will be followed by a Good-Bye Party at the New Diggings General Store and Inn beginning at 2:30 PM until 6 PM. The Furlong Funeral Chapel, Galena is assisting the family. He was born January 23, 1926 in Smithville Indiana and was the son of Robert and Tonnie Wooden. He left home when he was 15 and never looked back. He became a proud meat cutter. His trade took him all over the country and to the Pacific islands. In the ‘40s, Bob spent time as a teamster on the Hanford Site Project – home of the Manhattan Project. But it was working at a meat counter in Chicago where he met his wife and lifelong love, Patricia. They were married June 3, 1950, and remained by each other’s side until Patricia’s death in October 2016. Later Bob became a carpet layer and in 1970, he and Pat moved their family from Chicago to Galena, IL. Ol Bopper enjoyed hunting, fishing, and the (sometimes more than) occasional nip of Old Grand Dad 114. Ol Bopper never met a stranger. A natural talker, he loved BS’ing with anyone and everyone. His animated laugh filled the taverns, Masonic lodges, and Mississippi River banks of the tri-state area for 50 years. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him. He is survived by his daughter Linda Wulff (Randy) of Stockton, IL; his son Bobby (Marsha) Wooden of Scales Mound, IL; seven grandchildren, Gale, Tonnie, Tammy (Dean), Kurt (Meredith), Katie (Alex), Sam, and Ben (Casey); and twelve great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife Patricia; an infant son, Rick Timothy; and three siblings, Thomas, Francis, and Rachel. Bob’s family would like to thank Greg and Dawn Fleege and the many friends that shared his life. Bob’s family is grateful for the warmth, care, and kindness of Hospice of Dubuque and the Galena Stauss Nursing Home during this very difficult time. “Boom 1, 2.”
Robert Lee “Ol Bopper” Wooden
