Bob and Sharon were married on Aug. 2, 1958, at the Methodist Church in Racine, Wis.

Sharon, completed her nursing degree from Augustana College, a well-known nursing school founded by Swedish immigrants. She worked as an emergency surgical nurse at St. Luke’s Racine Hospital on the obstetrics floor.

Sharon is originally from Iron Mountain and the only daughter of Clyde and Mimi Johnson. Bob hails from Racine.

They were married shortly after Bob completed service in the U.S. Army 82nd Airborne Division, where he was a certified paratrooper trained at Fort Leonard and Fort Bragg in heavy jumping during the Korean War. He specialized in the use of flamethrowers and heavy drop.

Robert and Sharon Sherman

Bob was seriously injured on Dec. 5, 1955, during military service and nearly died, leaving him a proud disabled American veteran. He survived after spending three touch-and-go months in a military hospital at Brooks Army Medical Center in Houston, Texas.

Bob and Sharon went on to raise a family of four children, 13 grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.

Bob spent a career working for the railroad as a conductor for more than 40 years, starting with the Milwaukee Road, the Soo Line, and then the Canadian Railroad; all continuous through acquisitions.

He was well-known in the Chicago railroad yards, where his route took him daily.

Bob and Sharon purchased their first home in Racine upon getting married and remained in the Union Grove and Sturtevant, Wis. area. They also have an off-grid, year-round camp in the Floodwood Plains in north Dickinson County, where they spend their summers and fall through hunting season and are well-known to their neighbors and family in this region.

Best man at their wedding was Bob Brundt, and maid of honor was Sharon’s friend, Nancy Larson Hartford. They were introduced when Sharon was 16 years old by Sharon’s cousin, and started their lifelong journey upon getting married four years later.

Bob is known as a colorful talkative fellow who likes to join local breakfast groups in both areas. Sharon is known as a kind, loving and dedicated force in her family. She is a guiding rock and Sharon and Bob are a pillar in their community, says their family.

During the recent wedding of their youngest son, Bob received a standing ovation from the broader community attending the large reception in recognition of his family dedication and community service.

Bob has logged more than 6,500 hours of volunteer time in the Milwaukee VA Hospital and also shoots two to four times a week in a military honor guard for veteran burials at two nearby federal veteran cemeteries. He was recently given a plaque from the VA honoring his lifelong military and volunteer service.

The family asks to join in congratulating them for being role models in their family and community and in their lifelong relationship.