Roman "Romy" Borkovec

Roman F. Borkovec, age 82, of Sun Lakes, AZ; passed away peacefully at his home on Nov. 23, 2013.   He was born April 30, 1931, the youngest son of Joseph and Rose Borkovec, in Lena, WI.  He graduated from Lena High School and attended UW-Oshkosh.  After graduation, he taught rural school at Underhill, WI before being drafted into the Army in 1952.  He was in Korea with the 40th infantry division.  While in the Army, he taught G.I.'s who couldn't read or write.  At the close of the Korean Conflict, he was chosen to serve with the command in "Operation Big Switch" repatriating prisoners of war.  He interviewed 1/3 of the American POW's who came back from North Korea.

After returning home, attended UW-Platteville, where he met his wife, Joan Vosberg. Upon graduating in 1956, he taught high school in Brooklyn, WI. Later, he became a Farm Management Agent for Green and Racine Counties. While there, Romy attended UW-Madison getting his MS Degree.  In 1963, started as a Farm Consultant at First Banking Center, Burlington, Wi.  In 1974, he became President and CEO.  Through the years, he was a member of several service organizations and on several committees…such as: Kiwanis, Rotary, American Legion, Wisconsin Bankers Association, on the boards of Xaverian Missionary Fathers, Redemptorist Seminary and UW-Platteville Foundation.  Romy retired after 35 years and moved to Arizona.  He and Joan lived in Sun Lakes and Payson, AZ.  During retirement, he volunteered at the VA Hospital and Neighbors Who Care.  Much time was spent golfing!  Romy loved life and touched many people.  He will be forever remembered and greatly missed by his loving family and many, many friends.  He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Joan;  daughters, Sandra Boylan (Pat), Lisa Monson (Tom) and Rhonda Beere (Tom); son, Michael Borkovec (Laure);  fourteen grandchildren, Amber Moser (Garret), Adam Boylan (Ashly), Austin Boylan (Miranda), Andrew Boylan, Kyle Monson (Kelsey), Megan Feuerhake (Travis), Madison and Mikayla Beere, Spann and Jett Beere, Jordan, Dylan, Hailey and Gabriella Borkovec;  four great-grandchildren, Kolton, Kaydence, and Luci Moser and Trace Boylan. He also leaves behind numerous nieces and nephews. Romy is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Elhart, Clarence, Orville, Ervin and Norman; sisters, Gladys and Genivieve.   

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, December 6, 2013 at 12:00 noon in St. Mary Catholic Church (108 McHenry Street in Burlington) with Rev. James T. Volkert officiating. Interment, with military honors, will follow in Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery – Union Grove. Visitation will be in Schuette-Daniels Funeral Home (625 Browns Lake Dr. in Burlington) on Friday, December 6th from 9:00 – 11:30 am (procession will leave for church at 11:45 am). A memorial mass and reception will be held at St. Stephen’s Church in Sun Lakes, AZ at a later date. The family requests that any donations be made to the “Wounded Warrior Project”.