Red was the youngest of 3 boys born to Marvel (Culver) Templin and Edwin Templin (Fleming) in Fond du Lac, WI. The boys, Clayton (Son), Vaughn (Bud) and Robert (Red) were very close throughout their lifetimes. They were all WWII veterans and all arrived back home safely after the war. Red served in the Phillippines in the 382nd AAA (Anti-Aircraft Artillery) Unit and saw more than his share of active combat. After the war, he was sent to Japan, where he made some dear Japanese friends with whom he stayed in touch with over the years. That is how he rolled.
Red's father owned a popular night club in Appleton, WI, The Town Club, and after the war, all the boys worked there. Apparently having 3 handsome brother bartenders was quite a draw ;) Red met his wife to be, Shirlee Sager there and 5 years later they were married and remained married until his passing (Shirlee survives him at 92 years of age). Shirlee had 2 beautiful daughters, Shari and Connie from a previous marriage, and they were adopted by Red, who adored them. Two more daughters were born over the years, Traci and Jamie. Clayton eventually bought Miggiligan's Liquor Store in Appleton and changed the name to Templin's Beer and Liquors (aka The Beer Depot). He hired his youngest brother Red to work wih him. Years later, after Clayton's passing at far too early an age, Red purchased the store, hiring his wife, and eventually his daughters Traci and Jamie to help run the family business.
Many people think of Templin's and its large neon sign on Mason Street as an Appleton Icon. Besides beverages (specializing in kegs...and early on also delivering), they also sold candy and some groceries. Red's friendly and gently humorous demeanor and bantor kept customers coming back...that, and he always had a beautiful and well trained dog at the store with him who were always loved by the customers. Red managed to be one of the last "little guys" standing when all the other Mom and Pop stores went under. He didn't retire until he was in his mid 80's when the Beer Depot was then sold in May, 2005. The neon sign had come down a couple of years earlier and one of the local boys who had worked for Red for years, Jim (Boots) Krueger, kept it safe until Red's great nephew, Joel Templin purchased it from him recently.
Over the years, many young men had their first jobs at Templin's as a Delivery Boy or a Stocker, and looked to Red as a mentor and father figure. Many of them have kept in touch and have come back to him as adults and told him how he had affected their lives in positive (and even life-altering) ways.
Red was an accomplished woodworker, and always had a project going. He had an incredible workshop in his garage, his basement and in the back room of the Beer Depot. No job was too big or too small and he always had time to include a little "helper" no matter that he knew it was gonna take way longer to get the job done. He was generous to an incredible degree, always willing to extend credit, loan money, tools and even his car to anyone in need.
His patience in all things was admirable and amazing. His devotion to his Mother, whom he adored was lifelong and deeply rooted. He was a peaceful man, rarely raising his voice and nary a swearword ever passed his lips...until a woman or an underdog was disrespected or in danger...and then you saw the protector side of him. He was a true Peaceful Warrior.
He had an incredibly creative mind and was always thinking of "better" ways to do or make something. There was almost nothing he could not fix. If you gave him a picture of anything he was more than happy to work it into his schedule to get it made for you. He was also a natural artist and could draw beautifully. And in his younger days he was also a musician who could play a mean harmonica (and at parties, also the "humstrum"). Animals were always a part of his life and he owned several dogs over his lifetime. Every one of them was well trained and thoroughly loved and cared for into their old age. Other things he enjoyed spending time doing were: fishing, playing cards (especially Poker and Sheephead and there was often a game going on at night in the Beer Depot at the counter), playing Darts, Bar Dice and Horseshoes. He never wanted to be the center of attention, and he hated having his picture taken.
He made it a priority to make his home a comfortable place for his family and for all of the neighborhood kids to hang out at and oftentimes you would find one of them hanging out on Taylor Street with him even when his own kids were off somewhere else. The home there had a pool in summer and an ice rink in winter, a fort, a pool table, a pinball machine, a large dart board, and plenty of fun always going on. He regularly piled all the neighbor kids into the back of the delivery truck or into his large car and drove them all to Dairy Queen, A & W or 31 Flavors...and since they usally didn't have any money...it was his treat. At the Beer Depot, he never lacked for little "helpers" from the neighborhood who would bag ice, dust bottles or walk the dog for pocket change. Kids and animals adored him as much as he enjoyed and loved them.
As hard as he worked his entire life, he also knew how to relax and loved a good nap. Whether on the couch, in the hammock, on a lawn chair or in bed, he usually found time to catch a few winks during the day all of his adult life.
After retirement, Red continued to enjoy his woodworking, which had always been a big part of his life. He took up cooking and became very good at it. No matter where you would go with him, someone would yell, "Red!" or come and share stories and memories of him and the store.
In 2014 Red suffered a stroke which altered his life forever. Up until that day, he had still been driving and cooking and cleaning (at 91 years of age). He never bounced back completely (physically) from that. He moved into Living Tree Estates Assisted Living in Greenville where he continued to draw people to him. Having always been a caregiver, it was not easy for him to transition to being cared for. His room became the hang out place for many of the women who worked there. Red was always up late and he always had chocolate and other treats as well as a listening ear and advise for them...and he of course had nicknames for most of them as he did for people all his life.
His passing has been a blessing to him, in that he was tired and ready to go and had lived a long, full and satisfying life. But many, many people will feel a hole from his passing...especially his wife of 65 years, Shirlee; his daughters Shari Tomarkin, Connie Schmieding, Traci Templin-Rainbolt and Jamie Flaig (and their children: Arin Tomarkin, Ryan Tomarkin, Todd Schmieding, Tara Junkins, Mark Schmieding, Brad Schmieding, Theo Rainbolt, Arthur Rainbolt, Keenan Johnson and Devin Johnson)...and of course his great-grandchildren, and other relatives including nephews, nieces, cousins and more. He was really a unique man and a blessing to all who knew him.
We invite you to Please share your own stories and pictures of Red here.
** I apologize in advance if anyone was left out of the photos, I tried to include everyone, but Dad didn't particularly like having his picture taken and I only had access to my Mother's and my own photo albums and facebook page. So please share what you have. - Traci
