Obituary of Robert E. Lent

Robert E. Lent, age 66, of Wisconsin Rapids, passed away Thursday, June 22, 2017, at home with his wife Rachel at his side, after a courageous 27-month battle with pancreatic cancer. 

A private family service will be scheduled in July in Ladysmith, WI. Herman-Taylor Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Bob was born on June 21, 1951, in Ladysmith, WI, to Donald and Jean (Carlson) Lent.  He graduated from Ladysmith High School in 1969 and the University of Wisconsin-River Falls in 1973 with a BS in Biology and a minor in Geology.

He married Rachel Coggins in Ladysmith, WI, on August 26, 1972.

He was employed for 36 years by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources in Fish Management at Brule and Forest Firefighting at Babcock and Wisconsin Rapids.

Among the honors he received were two awards from the Great Lakes Forest Fire Compact in 1995 and 1997.  In addition, he and a wood carving he created of Smokey Bear were invited to the White House in 1994 to celebrate Smokey Bear’s 50th Anniversary.  Bob and his wife Rachel were honored on May 2, 2017, by the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point with the Chancellor’s Award for Commitment to Diversity.

Primary among his interests and hobbies were promoting fire prevention and educating with Smokey Bear and collecting Smokey Bear memorabilia and antique tools.  He was a talented woodworker and gardener.  He and Rachel loved to travel and visited all 50 states and 17 foreign countries. 

He is survived by his wife Rachel and honorary adopted exchange daughters Axelle DeSá (France), Jutta Laaksonen Niemi (Finland), Darejani “Darina” Markozashvili (Republic of Georgia), and Neea Laaksonen (Finland).  He was also survived by siblings Donald, Jr. (Cindy) Lent, Thomas Lent, David Lent, Susan (Jeff) Stone, and Jeffrey (Holly) Lent.  He was loved by numerous nieces and nephews.  Bob was preceded in death by his parents and by brothers James and Gregory.

Special thoughts and words of thanks are extended to the University of Wisconsin Cancer Center’s wonderful staff. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Aspirus UW Cancer Center Patient Fund in Wisconsin Rapids in honor of Bob.

Online condolences may be made at www.taylorfuneralhome.net