Category: Obituaries

She was a senior lecturer in the School of Human Ecology at UW-Madison for over 25 years.

Milton was a South Dakota farmboy, a World War II veteran, a UW Poultry Science professor, a family man, and proud of his Norwegian heritage.

John received his Bachelor of Science and Arts degree at UW-Madison in Economics in 1961. He worked for IBM for two years, UW-Madison for 24 years and retired as a self-employed consultant after 10 years.

In mourning Leon Varjian, a madcap math teacher who also imparted lessons in social responsibility, students brought box upon box of Mallomars to Midland Park High School this week.

She retired from UW-Madison Housing in 2003 where she worked for 16+ years. Barbara loved the students she worked with in Ogg Hall and enjoyed telling stories of her experiences.

Leon Varjian, who came to the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the 1970s to study in “the graduate school of fun” and ended up masterminding such famous pranks as the 1,000 plastic pink flamingoes on Bascom Hill and the Statue of Liberty head on frozen Lake Mendota, has died at age 64, a relative said.

Leon Varjian, who came to the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the 1970s to study in “the graduate school of fun” and ended up masterminding such famous pranks as the 1,000 plastic pink flamingoes on Bascom Hill and the Statue of Liberty head on frozen Lake Mendota, has died at age 64, a relative said.

After raising their three children, Helen returned to the work force at the Wisconsin Department of Revenue, and later worked in the Registrar’s Office at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

She worked in the food service department at UW Hospital for 26 years, retiring in 1988.

Following World War II and his recuperation he attended Michigan State and was awarded his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in horticulture. He was then hired by the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Department of Horticulture in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences to build their floriculture program, where he simultaneously obtained his Ph.D. in Horticulture.

Claudia was an Emma Goldman Professor of Philosophy at University of Wisconsin-Madison and taught nearly 50 years.

Marjorie was an Assistant Clinical Professor in the UW School of Nursing.

JoAnne … worked for the UW Personnel office until her retirement in 1998.

He was a past salesman for Moorman MFG Co. Capital City Roofing (owned by his father), and the Horticulture Dept. of UW-Madison.

She taught elementary school in Milwaukee, math education at UW-Madison, and aviation ground school at MATC.

Fifteen years ago, she joined the UW Foundation where she helped grow a highly successful development program within the UW School of Pharmacy. Linda was promoted to UW Senior Director of Development in 2013.

Bob had a long and fruitful career of more than 40 years as a professor of physics at UW-Madison, where he was a researcher on international high energy and astrophysics projects, taught a popular course called “Physics for Poets,” and authored a textbook with that title that has been published in seven languages and has been read worldwide. He had a knack for explaining difficult concepts to a general audience, which made him a popular teacher and frequent commentator on science issues on Wisconsin Public Radio.

Julie started her career as the house manager of the Olin House (the UW-Madison Chancellor’s residence) in 2008. Her love and passion for her job was evident in her preparation for the many events hosted at the Olin House both by Chancellor Biddie Martin and Chancellor David (Judith) Ward.

In the 1960s … Marj was asked by Professor Phil Curtin to join the staff of the newly developed African Studies Program at the UW. Marj took on major and minor administrative duties until her retirement in 1990 at the age of 70.

Madison – Robert Herbert “Bob” March, 81 of Madison, WI passed away on August 4, 2015 at Agrace Hospice in Fitchburg, WI. He was born on February 28, 1934 in Chicago, IL, the son of Herbert and Jane (Grbac) March. Bob had a long and fruitful career of more than 40 years as a professor of physics at UW-Madison, where he was a researcher on international high energy and astrophysics projects, taught a popular course called “Physics for Poets,” and authored a textbook with that title that has been published in seven languages and has been read worldwide.

Perry Brunelli, who previously worked as director of network services at the Division of Information Technology, age 56, passed away from a brain tumor, gliosarcoma, on August 15, 2015. Husband of Sue Larsen. Father of Sam Brunelli. Further survived by father Ken Brunelli Sr., sister Sandy Brunelli-Kornkven (Tom Kornkven), brother Ken Brunelli Jr., half-sister Bonnie Mitchell (Robert Brock), nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Predeceased by mother Shirley Brunelli and half-sister Vickie Larson.

Kerment worked in the Physical Plant at University of Wisconsin for 39 years, retiring in 1998.

Fred worked at the UW Department of Physical Plant, Planning and Transportation. He retired from the UW on Aug 2, 2011.

Joanne worked in gastroenterology research at UW Hospitals and as a cytotechnologist with the State Lab of Hygiene.

Robert was a full professor in teh University of Wisconsin’s Department of Botany, retiring in 1997.

Noted: Kleiman, who graduated from Riverside High School and the University of Wisconsin-Madison, was best known for her doggedness as a reporter.

Stan also graduated from UW-Madison and retired Professor Emeritus in 1993 holding appointments in both the College of Letters and Science, and the School of Medicine. In addition to teaching medical students, interns, residents, and staff in the Medical School he served as director of the Department of Speech-Language Pathology and was coordinator of the Inter-disciplinary Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Anomalies Clinic also at the UW-Madison. He served as research advisor to grad students at the Master’s and Doctoral levels.

He was an employee of the UW-Madison Grounds Department and retired in 2004.

Vahldieck is a former professor of nursing at UW-Madison.

He worked for UW-Madison at University Hospital, UW Housing, UW Physical Plant, working as a facility repair worker, retiring in July 2013 for a total of over 28 years with the State.

Noted: Before marrying William Proxmire, Ellen came to Madison with her first husband, Wisconsin native Warren Sawall, and earned her bachelors degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

In 1966, Moll moved to Madison with their children for Dick’s first teaching job at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he remained as a professor in the Department of Engineering for over 40 years. He also was a world-renowned product safety consultant who helped create better safety standards globally. Many in the industry recall him as a straight-shooter who would often turn down product safety cases if he didn’t believe a company was acting ethically.

hile at UW-Madison, Larry was instrumental in assisting faculty in their scientific endeavors as the Rennebohm Cardiovascular Research Laboratory delved into a host of different areas of investigations, including heart failure, vascular function and cell contraction mechanics. He also helped expand the Cardiovascular Research Laboratory into a University resource with involvement from a variety of departments and the medical school basic curriculum. Larry was also able to further broaden the focus of the Laboratory with collaboration for start-up companies from the University. He retired from UW-Madison in 2010.

Richard Moll, a retired UW-Madison professor and product safety expert with a whimsical bent who encouraged good deeds by example, died Thursday. He was 79.

Betty retired from a secretarial position at the UW-Madison Graduate School of Business.

Jo is a former lab assistant at UW-Madison’s chemistry department.

She joined the UW-Madison Risk Management office in 1976 and retired in 2010 as the Risk Manager of UW-Madison.

Critchley joined the UW Madison Risk Management office in 1976 and retired in 2010 as the Risk Manager of UW Madison.

Audrey worked as a divisional secretary and then also took over the Placement Office for the Chemistry Department at the University of Wisconsin-Madison from 1965 until retiring in 1994.

Audrey worked as a divisional secretary and then also took over the Placement Office for the Chemistry Department at the University of Wisconsin-Madison from 1965 until retiring in 1994.

Myron retired from farming in 1988 and worked at the UW Research Farms in Arlington, Wis., until 2005.

He was a professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison for 15 years.

Ruth worked many years at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Education Placement and Career Services.

Noted: The tropical tchotchkes also carry on a tradition of generosity at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, according to the school website. The school matches alumni donations by placing the city’s official bird — yep, the pink flamingo — on the campus green.

She worked for the office of University Relations, University of Wisconsin System in Van Hise Hall for 15 years. After her retirement she worked in the office of the Board of Regents and the Office of Equal Employment for the University of Wisconsin System, and for the Wisconsin­Nicaragua Partners. She also had served as secretary to the University of Wisconsin-Madison Board of Visitors, and the Sons of Norway.

She was an assistant clinical professor in the UW School of Nursing.

June retired from the University of Wisconsin Biochemistry Department in 1992.

Gary worked at UW Photo Media Center for 30 years, and then for seven years at the Wisconsin State Historical Society.

Noted: Gaylor grew up in rural Tomah and earned an English degree at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1949, the same year she married Paul J. Gaylor. He died in 2011.

Wittich joined the faculty at the University of Wisconsin in 1944 and became the director of the Bureau of Audio Visual Instruction, a 16mm film lending library that served the entire state. While a faculty member of the School of Education, he became an innovator of using media to enhance classroom teaching, and with his exhaustive research he and his co-author published Audio Visual Instruction, Their Nature and Use.

Noted: Goetsch served in the U.S. Army during World War II and the Army Reserves until 1964, retiring as major in the Army Corps of Engineers. He worked for Milwaukees Department of Public Works for about 30 years after receiving his bachelors degree in civil engineering in 1949 and masters degree in 1954, both from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

After earning his doctorate, Herb joined the faculty of the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the departments of curriculum and instruction and educational policy studies in 1963. He never fully retired, and was professor emeritus in the School of Education until the time of his death.

Other than a short stint at the University of Illinois, John’s academic career was spent at UW-Madison in the Biochemistry Department, where his research focused on fermentation. He developed several new fermentation techniques that he shared with his colleagues and which benefited numerous lines of research.

He was a senior research scientist at the Land Tenure Center and taught at both the Department of Economics and the Department of Forestry and Wildlife Ecology in the School of Agriculture and Life Sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Madison until he retired. He and his wife, Mimi, are still affiliated faculty in the African Studies Program at the UW-Madison.

Platz mentored students at UW Law School Legal Defense Project.

“Gen” worked for the University of Wisconsin-Madison as a lab assistant for over 15 years, until her retirement

Noted: Irwin Shadbolt Purtell was born in Milwaukee on May 21, 1936, and earned an economics degree at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. His fathers business was real estate, but Wins interests were in the stock markets, dogs, the outdoors and he even moonlighted for many years as a weekend farmer in rural Wisconsin.

June was the assistant to the associate chair of the English department at UW-Madison for many years, retiring in 1996.

Thomas was a microbiologist at the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene.

Bill was a professor of Mechanical Engineering until his retirement in 1994.