Robert O. Gauger, 84, of Whitehall, died Thursday, March 30, 2006, in Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse.
He was born July 13, 1921, in Linn, Kan., to Albert and Elsie (Andrews) Gauger. His parents owned and operated newspaper businesses in Linn and Cuba, Kan., and later Marshfield.
They moved to Trempealeau County in 1939 and founded the Arcadia News and later the Arcadia News-Leader. Bob worked at every newspaper with his parents.
He served as a pilot, flying heavy bombers in the United States Air Corps from 1942-1946. Bob attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison and earned his bachelor of arts degree in journalism.
In 1952, he purchased The Whitehall Times and was publisher until 1972. He then taught a Printer Apprentice Program at Western Wisconsin Technical Institute from 1972-1974. He then again served as publisher of The Whitehall Times from 1974-1998, when he retired and became Publisher Emeritus.
He married Shirley Shaver on Sept. 27, 1945, at the Smokey Hills Air Force Base in Salina, Kan. Together, they had three children and five grandchildren. Shirley preceded Bob in death on April 27, 1989.
Bob was a member of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, Whitehall Chamber of Commerce, Whitehall Public Golf Course, Blair Flight Club, Hutchins-Stendahl American Legion Post #191, Masonic Lodge, Zor Shrine and was a golden member of the Wisconsin Newspaper Association.
He enjoyed golf, hunting, flying, motorcycles and scooters.
