Robert Greenler

Robert (Bob) Greenler was enchanted by the beauty of the natural world his entire life. From making a crepe paper and water laboratory of beautiful hues as a child, to studying spectral sky effects at the South Pole as an adult, he delighted in seeing, understanding, and sharing beauty. His pursuit for understanding was a form of play that led him to examine spinning tops, classical paintings, glass harmoniums, outdoor bench designs, local flora and fauna, and more. He also took great joy in teaching others to see and understand the world around them, whether it was through glorious sky effects, birdwatching, a restored prairie or a natural oak preserve. A recurring theme was the search for the story behind the immediate visual impression—an attempt to see with the mind as well as the eye.

Bob was born on October 24, 1929, to Ruth and Dallas Greenler in Dunkirk, Ohio, joining two sisters, Dorothy and Phyllis. He studied at the University of Rochester and attended graduate school at Johns Hopkins University, earning a PhD in physics in 1957. Bob was a Professor of Physics at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee starting in 1962, where he was instrumental in developing the interdisciplinary Laboratory for Surface Studies. He was involved in the international scientific community, serving in various offices with the Optical Society of America, the American Institute of Physics, and the Council of Scientific Society Presidents. He was co-founder and director of ‘The Science Bag,’ a long-running series of public science programs at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He authored several books including, “Rainbows, Halos and Glories,” and “Chasing the Rainbow: Recurrences in the Life of a Scientist.”

As a young adult in the 1950’s, Bob was drawn to Quakerism and became a member of Homewood Meeting in Baltimore. He met his first wife, Barbara, at Homewood, they married in 1954 and shared their Quaker journey until Barbara's death in 2006. In 1954 he agreed to testify on behalf of a friend unjustly accused during the McCarthy hearings, an action that held potentially serious repercussions for him. He and Barbara transferred membership to Milwaukee Meeting in 1957 where he was actively involved for almost 50 years, raising a family and serving in many capacities. In 1960 he served as the second clerk of the newly fledged Northern Half Yearly Meeting, the precursor to Northern Yearly Meeting. He later transferred his membership to Madison Meeting where it remained until his death. He found kinship and resonance in his Quaker communities for his personal convictions of non-violence, fair housing, civil rights, right sharing of world resources, LGBTQ rights, and environmental stewardship.

Bob balanced his deep desires to teach, research, and practice science with his commitments to family, friends, and many other interests. He delighted in keen observation of and engagement with the outdoor world through canoeing, camping, and wildlife photography. A small cabin in Canada co-owned, designed, and built with dear friends, provided him a treasured retreat as well as a gathering place he enjoyed sharing. He biked for many decades with groups of close friends. He celebrated his 90th year by riding 900 miles with Nancy, his second wife and long-time biking companion. He delighted in game playing both as an intellectual challenge and social connection. He was an avid beekeeper, using skills learned as a teen traveling northern Ohio with his father, a part time beekeeper. He was a skilled birdwatcher, starting before bird identification guides were readily available and sharing his passion with many people along the way. He enjoyed growing, observing, and learning about plants through his signature type of play such as breeding amaryllis, growing vegetable gardens, competing in sunflower, mullein, and milkweed contests, and restoring prairies. Bob and Barbara spent almost 40 years “wilding” the property they lived on near Milwaukee, with native plants. Then, for over two decades, Bob nurtured the Oakwood Nature Preserve in Madison, helping guide the property to a more ecologically based, sustainable, and educational prairie and oak woods ecosystem.

Robert George Greenler, 95, died on September 21, 2025, at Oakwood Village, the home he and Nancy shared for 16 years.

He is survived by his wife Nancy, children Lee (Susan), Karen (Penny), Robin (John), family friend Sue, six grandchildren, Skye (Graham), Alex (Mark), Scott, Ellie (Thomas), Corry, and Tommy, great-grandchild Wesley, sister Phyllis, and Nancy’s sons, Michael (Alice) and Andrew. He is preceded in death by his first wife of 52 years, Barbara, and sister Dorothy.

There will be a memorial gathering at MADISON FRIENDS MEETINGHOUSE, 1704 Roberts Ct., Madison, on Sunday, October 26, 2025, at 2:00 p.m., with informal group singing starting at 1:30 p.m. The memorial will be streamed; for connection information contact the family. Memorial donations may be made to the American Friends Service Committee, 1501 Cherry Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102 or Heifer International, 1 World Avenue, Little Rock, AR 72202.

All Faiths Funeral & Cremation Services of Madison is assisting the family. Online condolences can be shared at www.866allfaiths.com.