Robert Wade
Pettit
MEMORIAL SERVICE
11:00 AM
Saturday, February 28, 2026
at
All Saints’ Cathedral
818 E. Juneau Avenue
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202
The service will be livestreamed on YouTube and can be accessed using one of the following links:
Requiem Eucharist | 2-28-26 | 11:00 AM | +Robert Wade Pettit | All Saints’ Cathedral
All Saints’ Cathedral — Episcopal Diocese of Milwaukee
It will also be posted on the Church’s Facebook page around 10:50 am on Saturday, February 28th
Robert Wade Pettit
Born in Memphis TN in 1938 by Mary Frances Nolan and Paul Cyrus Pettit. Following high school he joined the military. Served with distinction in the US Marine Corp from Jan 1958 to Jan 1962 achieving the rank of Corporal and earning a Good Conduct Medal. He then went to the University of Memphis and earned his Bachelor’s Degree in History and continued his education at UW Milwaukee earning his Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. He returned to the military joining the US Army Reserve as part of the 84th Division, 1152nd Transport Company from Nov 1969 to Jun 1986. He achieved the rank of Sargent 1st Class and earned the Good Conduct Medal and Army Service Ribbon, as well as the Medal for Meritorious Service for his deployment to Beirut, Lebanon. On Nov 10 1974 he married the love of his life Sallie Lee (Cole) Taylor, their marriage lasting 44 years till Sallie passed away on Dec 17th 2018.
During his life he wore many hats. From social worker helping veterans adjust to civilian life to driving short freight trucks between Milwaukee and Chicago. During the 1980s he and Sallie created and headed up the Ecumenical Refugee Council, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping and supporting clinics and orphanages in Central America. They took many trips, some that were dangerous, into Central America to do all they could to help the poor and orphaned when political forces were arrayed against it. These trips included shipping medical supplies into embargoed countries to help those in need. One of his greatest joys was teaching and served as math and science teacher at Catholic East Elementary in the 1990s for several years.
He is survived by his children: Ruth (Bob) Duket, Camille Taylor, Cindy (Taylor) Gray, Charlie Taylor, Paul (Sherry) Pettit, Michael Pettit, Mary (Charles Hardiman) Pettit, and Yami (Dominic) Wyman. By his grandchildren: Bridgette LaGalbo, Eddie Pietrzak, Tricia Trapp, Olivia Beilke, Samuel Brussow, Ruth Peterson, Ricardo Torres, Alicia Moore, Gabriella Hernandez, Rebecca Wong, Geoffrey Gray, Annika Taylor, Harrison Taylor, Joseph Skipper, Monica Neyes, Jared Flannick, Rosario Robert Pettit, Nadia Hardiman, Cyrus Hardiman, Dorian Pettit, Khamani Powell-Pettit, Julian Wyman, and Domino Wyman. 36 great grandchildren and 19 great-great grandchildren.
He is joined in death by his wife Salle, his daughter Rita and grandson Rosario LaGalbo.
Services will be held at 11am at All Saints’ Cathedral 818 E Juneau Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53202 on February 28th, 2026. Flower donations are welcome and can be made via Heritage Funeral Home.
My condolences to the family. My name is Paula and I work in the kitchen at the VA in Union Grove. Bob and I talked usually Monday – Friday because he would give me his choices for his meals. I knew that if I had a missed call, it was Bob and I would call him back. He would joke with me when he answered the phone and I would do the same. Over the past 4 years Bob and I chatted about family, food and the many stories about his life. Such a great life he lead.
I miss his calls to the kitchen and hearing his voice. He truly was one of a kind. He was a bright light in my day and I miss you Bob!
Paula