Robert Layman

Robert "Bob" Gilmore Layman, 84, Wausau, passed away in his sleep at home, Friday, June 30, 2017. Bob was born April 8, 1933, Merrill Route 3, son of the late Clarence Emerald Earl Layman and Leona Ann Layman (née Zastrow), the eldest of seven children. Bob attended Merrill public school before serving his country in the United States Air Force. He worked for J. W. Perry Co., Merrill, and Wausau Papers, Brokaw, before beginning a life-long career as an independent truck-driver and entrepreneur. Bob's career accomplishments chronologically, included: Hauled mobile and modular homes throughout the Midwest and along the ALCAN Highway to Fairbanks, Alaska; Hauled red granite, road salt, and fertilizer throughout central and northern Wisconsin. He operated a granite pit in Marathon County and built numerous crop dusting runways for area potato farmers; Provided the house truck for The House of Merrill and Consolidated Building Service; Founded Rib Mountain Arctic Sports, selling new and used snowmobiles, parts and accessories, and servicing all types of machines; Founded Imperial Growers, Inc., a trucking company hauling fresh and frozen produce from the Midwest to Metropolitan New York City. He lived and worked on the East Coast for nearly thirty years; and enjoyed carrying a valid Commercial Driver's License up to the time of his death. The Man in Black. On Bob's first trip to Alaska he happened upon a tailor in Dawson Creek, BC. He had the proprietor make him a set of custom black work slacks and black button-down shirts with two extra deep pockets. Bob then found black gaucho boots from Brazil in a mail order catalogue. Along with his ever-present chain-drive wallet, his signature look was complete. Long past his Canadian travel days he continued his long distance wardrobe orders and was indelibly recognizable. Bob had an unmistakable voice, offered unapologetically blunt opinions, and had a uniquely colorful vocabulary. He loved to recall his hardscrabble depression-era upbringing especially tales of his boyhood farm chores, his seven mile walk to school and back home again (uphill both ways), and his father's no-nonsense work ethic. Bob is survived by four children from his first marriage, to Janice Mae Gaugush (née Post); Scott Robert, New York, NY; Sheri Lynn Shade, Green Bay; Debra Sue, Wausau; Timothy Mark, Wausau. He is also survived by one son from a second marriage, to Carol Jean Vedner (née Kresbach): Chas Luke, Wausau. Both marriages ended in divorce. He is further survived by three grandsons, and four granddaughters. Other survivors include brothers Jack Brian, Merrill; Donald Laverne, Wausau; Allen Louis, Chesterton, IN; and one sister Sharon (Raymond) Mundt, Tomahawk. Besides his parents, Bob was preceded in death by one brother, Maurice, and one sister Janice Berdan. Visitation will be held and friends may call from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, July 28, 2017 at Brainard Funeral Home - Wausau Chapel, 522 Adams Street, Wausau, WI. Online condolences may be given at www.brainardfuneral.com. Dad, grandpa, and close friend: May your blue eyes and bright smile shine eternal. We love you and will miss you. You will forever be in our hearts.