Edmund R. Hobbins

MIDDLETON Edmund R. Hobbins, age 83, passed away July 14, 2014. He was born December 1, 1930 in Madison to William S. and Audrey (Bell) Hobbins. Edmund graduated from Randall Grade School in June 1941. He graduated from Madison West High School in 1948 and he attended the University of Wisconsin Madison, where he graduated in 1953 with a B.S. Degree in Economics and Finance. In 1964, he graduated from the School of Banking. He was a member of Beta Theta Pi Fraternity. Edmund served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War from 1953 1955 and was discharged as a 1st Lieutenant. He also served in the U.S. Air Force, Wisconsin Air National Guard and was discharged as a Captain. Edmund was raised into a career of banking and in 1969 he became the fourth President of the American Exchange Bank, the historic Madison bank founded in 1871 by his great grandfather John J. Suhr. Edmund retired from the bank as the Chief Executive Officer in 1987. A prominent leader in banking and civic organizations, Edmund served the State of Wisconsin Banking Review Board Chairman, Dane County U.S. Savings Bond Committee Chairman, American National Red Cross Badger Chapter Chairman, Board of Directors, Madison Civic Center Foundation Board Member, Henry Vilas Zoological Society Board of Directors (Director Emeritus), Community Banks Inc. Vice President and Director, American Institute of Banking Member, Madison Banks Clearing House- Secretary, Wisconsin Bankers Association Treasurer, National Association of Bank Administration - Member; Wisconsin Executive Residence Foundation - Board of Directors, American Bankers Association State State Chairman, U.S. Savings Bonds, Madison Civic Center Board, Downtown Madison Kiwanis Club, Westside Businessmans Association, Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce, Madison Elks Club, B.P.O.E #410, Madison Downtown Rotary Club, Madison Urban League, Madison NAACP, Madison Art Center Board, Military Order of World Wars Board Member, American Legion Post #360 Member, Ducks Unlimited, March of Dimes, Cancer Foundation, United Way, Madison Symphony Orchestra, Olbrich Botanical Society and numerous other organizations. Edmunds personal interests included attendance at University of Wisconsin athletic events, travel, boating, sailing, canoeing, camping, hunting and fishing. Edmund is survived by family members including his brother Dr. William (Paula) Hobbins, three daughters Drs. Jenna and Julia Hobbins, Laura Varney and son Jeffrey Hobbins, Michael (Traci) Mann and Kris (Thomas) Lawler. His grandchildren include Lumen, Lauren, John and Lily Hobbins, Alexandria and Morgan Mann and Maggie Lawler. He is also survived by his former wife Marianne Hobbins. Edmund was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Audrey Forester, former wife Charlotte Hobbins, sons Mark and Gregory Hobbins and most recently his wife Edna (Mann) Hobbins in 2010. A celebration of life memorial service will be held at the Madison Elks Lodge #410, 711 Jenifer Street on Friday, August 8, 2014, from 11:00am 1:00pm. A blessing and military honor ceremony will be held the same day at 1:45pm at Forest Hill Cemetery, 1 Speedway Road, Madison. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions are made to the Henry Vilas Zoo at www.vilaszoo/support or via mail at 606 S. Randall Ave, Madison, 53715.