Category: Obituaries

Richard worked as a plumber for over 45 years, most recently at UW Hospital, where he retired in 2006.

He was a Professor of Physics at the University of Iowa (1967-81), and a Visiting Professor at UCLA (1974-75) and the University of Colorado-Boulder (1980-81), before joining the University of Wisconsin faculty in 1981. He began his career in nuclear physics, but soon changed to plasma physics because “it looked like it would be more fun (and it was).” Not only did he make groundbreaking contributions to his chosen field, but he gained the respect and admiration of his colleagues, both as a physicist and a human being.

He worked for 30 years at the University of Wisconsin in the IT Department and was Field Service Manager.

Hall transitioned to the Badger munitions factory in Baraboo, Wis., as a plant manager for two years, until finding his true career calling in human resources and management training at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

She was employed at the University of Wisconsin Primate Research for over 17 years.

Doris retired from the University of Wisconsin Law School after 26 years of service.

In 1961 he joined the University of Wisconsin Dairy Science Department as a leader of educational and training programs for the National Dairy Herd Improvement (DHIA) program. Under his leadership, participation by farmers increased to include well over half of all dairymen in the state, and average milk production per cow more than doubled.

Her major accounting experience was 12 years as account examiner with the University of Wisconsin extension division.

From 1954 until his retirement in 1989, Jim worked as a professor of Electrical Engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He was Chairman of the Department from 1967-72, Director of the University-Industry Research Program 1972-76, Wisconsin Electric Utilities Professor of Energy Engineering 1976-89, Director of the Energy Research Center 1976-89, and served on the Graduate School Research Committee.

Merritt Norvell, a former University of Wisconsin halfback who became a successful Madison businessman and fought for racial equality, died Monday. He was 79.

He was employed as an engineer with Univac Sperry Rand, served aboard the U.S. Geophysical Polar Center ship and worked for the UW – Madison, retiring as a chemist from the Wisconsin Occupational Health Laboratory.

She moved to Madison in the early 1960s to work in the state Extension office and to complete a master’s degree in Home Economics Cooperative Extension. She is named on the “100 Women Wall” in the School of Human Ecology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, honored for her outreach to Wisconsin communities through her work with University Extension.

Sue worked for the University of Wisconsin Family Practice Program, scheduling residents for 15 years. She retired from on Dec. 30, 2009.

Bob worked for the Vari-Typer Corp. and then the UW-Madison as an office machine repair man. If there was problem, he could fix it.

Edward McKenzie Coffman, distinguished military historian and revered teacher at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, died on Sept. 16, 2020, at Thomson-Hood Veteran Center in Wilmore, Ky.

Ms. Campbell was born on April 18, 1931, in Cuba City, Wis. Her parents, Frank Churchill Florine, a pharmacist, and Irene (Bower) Florine ran Florine and Son’s Drugstore and Pharmacy, where their daughter worked as a soda jerk. After earning undergraduate and masters degrees in English at the University of Wisconsin, she joined the Marines because, she said later, she wanted to see if she could handle it.

In 1982 Chère worked as an academic planner in University of Wisconsin System Administration. In 1984 she left administration and joined the faculty of the Department of Continuing and Vocational Education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the Family Living Program Area in University of Wisconsin -Extension.

She worked for 30 years at Steenbock Memorial Library on the UW campus. When she retired in 2000, she retained the honor of Emeritus status at the University.

Bob was an Academic Librarian at Cornell University in Iowa and at Steenbock Library for The University of Wisconsin, Madison.

Ms. Campbell was born on April 18, 1931, in Cuba City, Wis. Her parents, Frank Churchill Florine, a pharmacist, and Irene (Bower) Florine ran Florine and Son’s Drugstore and Pharmacy, where their daughter worked as a soda jerk. After earning undergraduate and masters degrees in English at the University of Wisconsin, she joined the Marines because, she said later, she wanted to see if she could handle it.

At 16, she entered the college itself, graduating in 1950 with a bachelor’s degree in English. A professor there told her that women writers were “not important enough to study,” Ms. Howe later recalled, but also urged her on to graduate school. She received a master’s degree from Smith College the next year and studied for a PhD at the University of Wisconsin before dropping out at the insistence of her second husband.

Her activist spirit was also ignited as a Hunter undergraduate. She formed an interracial and interfaith sorority with friends and was elected student body president. She studied English with the intention of teaching in the public school system, but was encouraged by a professor and Hunter’s president to pursue a master’s degree, which she earned at Smith College. In 1951 she went on to study for a doctorate in English at the University of Wisconsin.

After a brief stint as Administrator of the Madison Agrigenetics Research Laboratory, he returned to the U.W. to administer the newly formed Biotechnology Center and then the Institute for Enzyme Research until his retirement in June 1992.

Donna was employed by the Records and Registration Office at the University of Wisconsin where she thoroughly enjoyed her time at the University.

Robert was a professor of Neurophysiology at UW-Madison for 35 years.

Butch worked for the State of Wisconsin at the University in the Registrar’s office until his retirement in 2000.

He worked as a plumber for the University of Wisconsin-Madison, retiring in 2003.

A gifted actor in student productions at DeWitt Clinton High School, Sy was encouraged by his father to pursue a theatrical career, but decided to become a surgeon instead. Accepted by Yale but unable to afford the tuition, he enrolled at the University of Wisconsin on a scholarship and completed his pre-med degree in two years.

Richard’s first position was a management role with UW-Extension at Ashland and Spooner Agricultural Research Stations. Thereafter, he served in Calumet and Fond du Lac counties as a Dairy Agent.

Larry spent most of his working years at UW Madison. He started in the mail room and worked his way through many positions, because every few years he wanted something new and challenging. His last campus position was working in heating and cooling at Biotron Laboratories.

After his PhD in Zoology/Endocrinology from the University of Wisconsin, Madison (’55,) postdoctoral work in Boston was followed by a faculty position at the UW as a Professor of radiation biologist / cancer researcher in 1959, a job he held under various titles until his retirement in 1997.

Gerald was Emeritus Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the UW-Madison, retiring after 38 years in 1995.

From 1973 to 1987, she worked at UW Hospital in Radiotherapy and Dermatology.

He worked for the UW Agriculture School from April 1959 to April 1994. His love for Badger sports lead him to work for the UW Athletic Department for 10 years as a score keeper for both Men’s and Women’s Basketball and Women’s Volleyball.

Christina has been part of the UW Madison academic advising community for nearly a decade. She worked for several departments including, School of Nursing, School of Letters and Science before her current position serving as Student Services Coordinator and undergraduate academic advisor for the English Department.

He began his teaching career in 1968 at the University of Wisconsin–Madison in the Department of Mathematics, becoming full professor in 1972. With the exception of one year visiting the University of California, Berkeley, and two years visiting the University of Texas at Austin, he spent his 40-year career in Madison, retiring in 2008.

She taught mini courses at the UW-Madison which were always well attended and earned her praise for her depth of knowledge and facilitation skills.

She retired in 2006 after many years of service to the University of Wisconsin—Madison as a Graduate Admission Coordinator in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction, receiving a Distinguished Achievement Award in 2003.

Dorothy worked in several departments at the University of Wisconsin, including the Food Research Institute, from 1966 until her retirement in 1992.

He earned a master’s in geography from the University of Wisconsin, followed by doctoral-level coursework in the field there. A member of the Glassboro faculty since 1948, he helped found its geography department.

From 1972 to 2006, he was a research scientist for the University of Wisconsin-Madison, first at the Institute for Enzyme Research and then in the Department of Anesthesiology.

In 1962 he became a professor of medicine at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He pursued research, patient care, and implemented a fellowship training program in allergic diseases. Dr. Reed became head of the Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology and established new standards in patient care and treatment.

Phil’s career at UW-Madison included teaching undergraduate and graduate students and doing research as part of the Theoretical Chemistry Institute … His UW career also included the administrative positions of Chair of Chemistry, Associate Vice Chancellor, Acting Vice Chancellor, Associate Dean and Dean of the College of Letters and Science.

When her children were mostly grown, Barbara joined the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Waisman Center as a Project Administrator in the School of Social Work.

Lynda was a longtime employee of the UW Law School, and in her retirement she found enjoyment in painting, volunteering, and advocacy work.

He seemed to find his true vocation when he became a Senior Lecturer of Marketing back at his Alma Mater, UW-Madison.

After graduating from Eastern High School, he received a scholarship to George Washington University provided by the newspaper. He continued to work for the Star as a student, completing his bachelor’s degree in 1963. He did graduate work in political science at the University of Wisconsin.

Patricia Thompson was born in Athens, Tenn., and moved to Lake City, Fla., as a child. She graduated from Florida State University and earned a doctorate in sociology from the University of Wisconsin at Madison.

In the late 1980s she began working as a payroll clerk and librarian for the Biochemistry department at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she remained until her retirement in 2008.

After graduating from Harvard, Richard taught for three years at Northern Illinois University and in 1965 accepted a faculty position at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he remained until his retirement in 1995. In addition to mentoring many graduate students who went on to prestigious university positions, Richard taught undergraduate lecture courses on the Age of Jefferson and Jackson, and the American Civil War Era. In 1989, the University of Wisconsin presented him with a distinguished teacher award.

He taught in the Slavic Department at the University of Wisconsin-Madison from 1967 until his retirement in 1995, having served as Chair of the Slavic Department, Head of the Russian Area Studies Program, and Head of the Folklore Program, which he helped found.

Griffiths retired from the University of Wisconsin Department of Medicine Residency Program in 2008.

Connie was employed as an administrative assistant at UW-Madison, a position she held until retirement.

Following teaching assignments at Ohio University and the University of Pittsburgh, Tom returned to UW–Madison in 1970, succeeding William Appleman Williams in the ground-breaking work of the Wisconsin School of Diplomatic History.

J.T., as he was known at work, had a fascinating career with the Space, Science, and Engineering Center at UW-Madison, applying his scientific knowledge and ingenuity.

Later she was an Academic Specialist-Administrator at the UW Endocrinology- Reproductive Physiology program from 1963 until her retirement in 1994.