Bob "Duck" Dawson

Bob "Duck" Dawson, 90, of Springbrook Wisconsin passed away at home surrounded by love, prayer and family.

Bob was born on May 9, 1936, in River Falls, WI, to Chuck and Roberta Dawson.  Bob graduated from River Falls High School and UW River Falls. Bob played football and was the quarterback of the 1958 UW River Falls football championship team. He also coached football in high school and college. He refereed in both football and basketball for many years. 

He taught school and became an elementary principal in Eau Claire for 26 years.  Bob and Merrelyn married on July 21,1957, and became parents of two sons, Bob Jr. and Tom. Bob was an avid sportsman and enjoyed the outdoors with his son Tom and his close friends. 

He is survived by his beloved wife of 68 years, Merrelyn; his son, Tom (Char), and his granddaughter and princess, Emily; his sister, Jackie Hull, his neice, Julie, and his newphew, Tim; his brother, Jim (Jan) Dawson; his brother-in-law, Steve (Cecilia) Swenson, and his nephew, Adam; sister-in-law, Sharon Swenson (Lin Herbert).

In addition to his parents, Bob is preceded in death by his son, Bob Jr.

A memorial service will be held at 12:00 noon on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1790 Scribner Street in Spooner, where visitation will be held from 11:00 A.M. until the hour of the service. Interment with military honors will follow in the Northern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery. 

Contributions may be directed to a charity of your choice, to UW River Falls Foundation, 410 S. 3rd St. River Falls, WI 54022, or to the Salvation Army.