Category: Obituaries

Camilla Ruth Hanson, age 81, passed away peacefully on Friday, May 15, 2009. Camilla served for many years on the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents.

Carol L. (Burkeland) Haag, age 73 of Verona, passed away on Tuesday, May 19, 2009. After farming in Lodi and Black Earth for many years, she worked in housekeeping at UW Hospital for 24-plus years before retiring.

Steven L. Key died peacefully early on May 26, 2009. He worked for a time at the UW-Madison physics department.

Benjamin Bruce Marsh, age 82, of Madison, died on Sunday, May 10, 2009. Bruce was appointed professor of meat and animal science and director of the Meat Science and Muscle Biology Laboratory at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1971, and he spent the remainder of his career studying, writing, and teaching at the University, until his retirement and appointment as professor emeritus in 1992

Arnold P. “Arnie” Federer, age 91, of Madison, passed away on Tuesday, May 5, 2009. Arnie worked in building maintenance for the University of Wisconsin.

Rollan A. “Rollie” Endres, age 82, died on April 24, 2009. From 1972-76 he was the concert tuner and technician for the University of Wisconsin School of Music

Eunice L. Boardman, age 83, of Rock Island, Ill., died Tuesday, May 5, 2009. Among several other positions during her career in music education, Professor Boardman served as director of the Music Department at the University of Wisconsin.

Joyce A. Pernot, age 80 of Brooklyn, passed away on Thursday, May 7, 2009. She retired after working 37 1/2 years as a secretary at UW-Madison in the departments of agricultural journalism, extension and computer sciences.

Janice Mary Friis, age 71, passed away at Oak Park Place in the Memory Care Unit due to cancer on Saturday, May 9, 2009. Janice worked for the University of Wisconsin Extension System for 40 years almost entirely in Extension Engineering (now Engineering Professional Development), where she loved mentoring students and arranging conferences and seminars.

Patricia D. Francois (O’Neill), age 79, passed away on Friday, May 8, 2009, in Madison. Pat retired after 25 years of service with the State of Wisconsin and the University of Wisconsin in 1996.

Curtis H. “Rattler”, “Tiny” Adler, age 68 of Middleton, passed away on Wednesday, May 6, 2009. Curtis was employed as a painter at the University of Wisconsin Physical Plant for more than 20 years, retiring in 2003.

J. Ben Rosen, a pioneer in the area of mathematical programming who helped establish computer science departments at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the University of Minnesota, died of a heart ailment April 28 at an assisted living facility in San Diego, where he had been living for the past few years. He was 86.

Ann Druck, age 83, passed away on Tuesday, May 5, 2009. Ann was an auditor for the University of Wisconsin System.

Velma R. Schurch, age 97 of Mount Horeb, passed away on Thursday, April 23, 2009. In 1933, she graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in home economics education and then taught in several Wisconsin high schools. Encouraged by her parents to continue her professional training, she earned a master’s degree in home economics education in 1937, also from the University of Wisconsin. Further reflecting her strong belief in the value of education, Velma established a Fund in the School of Human Ecology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison to support programs/activities in greatest need.

Helen Van Oosbree, age 57, passed away on April 26, 2009. She worked at both Slichter Residents Hall and University of Wisconsin System Trust Funds, where she built many life-long friendships.

Mildred L. “Mimi” Devaul, age 90, passed away on April 18, 2009. Mimi was employed in the Department of Sociology of the University of Wisconsin from 1963 until she retired in 1985.

Dr. Stanley D. Carlson, age 74, passed away on Thursday, April 23, 2009.  He was a professor of neuroscience at University of Wisconsin for nearly 30 years.

Scott P. Schweke, age 37, died Thursday, April 23, 2009. After moving to Cross Plains in 2002, he worked for the University of Wisconsin Extension Center and John Deere Credit.

Margaret Agnes Higbie, age 85, died peacefully on Thursday, April 23, 2009. In Madison, she worked at, among others, The Wisconsin State Journal, the School for Workers and the UW Department of Mathematics.

John D. Raab Sr., age 77, of Montello, died on Wednesday, April 22, 2009. John started working for the University of Wisconsin in the Reproduction Research Program in 1953. He continued his work for the UW for 23 years at the Arlington Research Station.

Mary C. Bauer, age 70, passed away peacefully at the HospiceCare Center in Fitchburg on Saturday, April 18, 2009, from cancer. Mary did a variety of volunteer work, such as planning cultural arts programs for Midvale Elementary School, leading school-group tours as a docent at the Wisconsin State Historical Society, and serving as a receptionist at the U.W. Arboretum.

Former State Representative and political activist Marjorie “Midge” Cavins Leeper Miller passed away at home on Friday, April 17, 2009, at the age of 86. Midge moved to Wisconsin in 1957 and was an assistant dean at UW-Madison.

James P. Flannery, age 82, of Black Earth, died on Sunday, April 12, 2009. He farmed for several years with his brother Reginald and later worked for the University of Wisconsin.

James A. Marks, age 82, a longtime resident of Madison, died on Monday, April 13, 2009. In 1954 Professor Marks came to the University of Wisconsin as an instructor in engineering drawing and descriptive geometry. In 1956 he was appointed engineering placement director and subsequently was named professor in general engineering.

Carol L. Nelson, age 87, of Gilman, passed way on Sunday, April 12, 2009. She worked as head baker at the Memorial Union (UW-Madison) for several years.

John W. Peterson, age 64, died Thursday, April 9, 2009. John ended his Naval career as the commanding officer of the NROTC Unit at UW-Madison. After retirement from the Navy, he was an assistant dean at the UW-Madison Law School, before beginning his job at UW-Madison Division of Information Technology, where he was the director of System Engineering and Operations.

Yuri K. Shcheglov passed away Monday, April 6, 2009, at his Madison residence. Yuri taught as a full professor from 1989 until his retirement in 2007, in the Department of Slavic Languages at the University of Wisconsin-Madison

Jeanette R. Harries, former University of Wisconsin-Madison Assistant Professor of Linguistics, passed away on Wednesday, April 1, 2009. Jeanette directed the Phonetics Laboratory and taught, among other courses, phonetics and phonemics, morphology, and Structure of Tamazight/Berber until 1973.

Loretta Marian Zink, a longtime resident of Verona, passed away on Saturday, April 11, 2009 at the age of 86. She retired from the University of Wisconsin – Madison, Cancer Research Center.

Katherine May, dedicated nurse and respected educator, formerly of Madison, passed away April 2, 2009. Her last professional assignment was serving several years as a combined assistant director of Dane County Health Department and UW – Madison, College of Nursing faculty.

Gary M. Guitzkow, age 45 of Poynette, died on Sunday, April 5, 2009. Gary managed the UW Power Plant.

Steven G. Zelenski, age 64, died peacefully at home on Thursday, April 2, 2009. Steve was a clinical assistant professor in the UW Hospital’s Department of Psychiatry.

John C. Sine, age 60 of Madison, passed away peacefully at home, on Sunday, March 29, 2009. John worked for the University of Wisconsin Physical Sciences Lab in Stoughton for more than 20 years before retiring in 2005.

Ralph John Martens, age 87 of Madison, passed away on Wednesday, April 1, 2009. Ralph worked for the University of Wisconsin as a business administrator and accountant for 46 years, retiring in 1987.

Edward W. Furstenberg, age 79, died on Friday, April 3, 2009. Edward enjoyed a long career in public broadcasting that started at WHA radio in the early 1950s and ended with early retirement from WHA-TV in 1988.

Author and public radio host Garrison Keillor will play a benefit show May 6 at Overture Hall in Madison to honor his late brother and raise money for a new shelter at Tenney Park.

Details of the event, including ticket price, have not been worked out, but Keillor wants the show to be both entertaining and a meaningful tribute to his brother, said Doug Keillor of Madison, Garrison Keillorâ??s nephew and the son of John Philip (Phil) Keillor Jr., who died Feb. 27 in Madison at age 71.

Phil Keillor was a UW-Madison coastal engineer and one of the founders of a Madison homeless shelter that evolved into Porchlight Inc. Memorials from his funeral benefited the nonprofit organization.

Jerry James Armstrong, age 79, died on Sunday, March 29, 2009. At one point Jerry taught technical writing at the University of Wisconsin School of Civil Engineering.

Pamela Kay Pletsch, age 59, of Middleton, passed away on Sunday, March 29, 2009. She was a faculty member  at the UW-Madison School of Nursing. Pam was principal investigator of a multi-million dollar federal grant uniting teams from UW-Madison and Duke University to address problems of smoking and smoking cessation among pregnant women.

Dr. Ronald H. Laessig, PhD, age 68, died peacefully at his home on Sunday, March 29, 2009. Ronald graduated from U.W. Stevens Point in 1962 Magna Cum Laude and then attended U.W. Madison where he received his doctorate in chemistry. After completing his doctorate, he did his post doctoral work at Princeton. In January of 1966, he was united in marriage to Joan Spreda at St. Stephens Catholic Church in Stevens Point. He worked for 20 years as the director of the State Laboratory of Hygiene and as a professor at U.W. Madison in the department of pathology and preventive medicine.

Margie Jean Jesberger died on Wednesday, March 25, 2009. After graduating from Sun Prairie High School, she worked at UW Memorial Library.

Marion Louise Ahlquist Jensen, age 91 of Madison, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 27, 2009. Marion was a public health nurse in Madison, and later worked at UW Hospitals in radiation therapy.

Dr. Charles William Hirschler, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, March 22, 2009. Charles worked for over 20 years with Madison Anesthesiology Corporation and was assistant clinical professor at the UW-School of Medicine.

Charles (Chuck) Greenwood, age 74, died on Thursday, March 26, 2009. Chuck worked as a machinist throughout his life and retired with 20 years of service as an instrument maker from UW-Madison’s Bock Laboratory.

Burrell Carroll Eveland, age 80 of Madison, died on Thursday, March 26, 2009. Burrell was the director of purchasing at University Hospitals in Madison for 22 years until retiring in 1990.

Byron Edward Bahr “Ed” age 80, passed away peacefully Friday, March 27, 2009. In 1952, he became employed by the State of Wisconsin at the UW-Madison heating station as a boiler operator helper. He retired in 1990, after 38 years of service.

George K. Steil, Sr., age 84, of Janesville, died on Sunday, March 29, 2009. He was named as Lecturer by the University of Wisconsin in 1974, and received the University of Wisconsin Law School Alumni Distinguished Service Award in 1991, which is the highest award given to a faculty member or a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School. He was appointed by Governor Tommy Thompson to the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents from 1990 to 1997, where he served as President from 1992 to 1994, Chairperson of the University of Wisconsin Medical Foundation, the clinical practice group of the UW Medical School from 1995 to 1999, and member of the Board of Directors of the University of Wisconsin Hospital Authority from 1995 to 2004.

John Hope Franklin, a prolific scholar of African-American history who profoundly influenced thinking about slavery and Reconstruction while helping to further the civil rights struggle, died Wednesday in Durham, N.C. He was 94.

Dr. Franklin was also a Fulbright professor in Australia and had teaching stints in China and Zimbabwe. He taught at Cambridge University in England; Harvard; Cornell; the University of Wisconsin; the University of Hawaii; the University of California, Berkeley; and other institutions. Since 1992, he had been James B. Duke professor emeritus of history at Duke. A John Hope Franklin Research Center was established in his honor at Duke.

Donna J. Gove, age 76, died on Monday, March 23, 2009. Donna was employed by the University of Wisconsin-Extension’s Survey Research Lab for 28 years, retiring in 1991.

Arthur D. Code, an astronomer and designer of space observatories who helped lead a triumphant experiment in the 1960s that yielded information about the composition of stars, comets and galactic gases, died on March 11 in Madison, Wis. He was 85.

MADISON/ ST. LOUIS, MO. – Robert C. Newman passed away on Wednesday, March 18, 2009. Robert spent his career as a professor of horticulture at the University of Wisconsin – Madison. His work included teaching, research, and extension work throughout the state. He was a recognized expert in plant identification and was often consulted to assist with weed identification. His interest in turfgrass management led to the establishment of the Noer Turfgrass Research Facility and a turfgrass professorship at the University of Wisconsin.

Arthur D. Code understood that astrophysics happened in outer space – and that was where the telescopes needed to be.

Code first made his telescope-in-space proposal in the aftermath of the Soviet Union’s Sputnik launch in 1957. The National Academy of Sciences had asked scientists what they would do if they had access to a 100-pound satellite.

“I was one of the few who proposed astronomy experiments,” Code later told The Milwaukee Journal in 1995. “Most of the other proposals suggested using a satellite to look at Earth.”

Gerhard O. Ellerkamp, age 85, of Madison, passed away on Monday, March 16, 2009. He was a cabinet maker for Ripp Kitchens, Findorff and the University of Wisconsin.

Richard S. “Dick” or “Ned” Bauhs died on Sunday, March 15, 2009. After the war, Dick became a journeyman steamfitter and worked for Hyland Hall, E and W Heating, and UW-Madison until 1988, when he retired.

Dale Stephen Amans, age 56, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, March 16, 2009. He worked at the UW Physical Plant for 23 years before retiring in 2007.

Paul Quentin Nordeng, age 74, died on Saturday, March 14, 2009. Paul was employed at UW-Madison initially maintaining hybrid computers and later operating the standards lab until his retirement in 1997.

The University of Wisconsin announced Monday that pioneering space astronomer Arthur D. Code died on March 11 after a long illness at the age of 85.

The cause of death was a long-standing pulmonary condition, according to his family.

Arthur D. Code, a scientist who elevated the field of astrophysics in many ways over his 40-plus years at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, died Wednesday at the age of 85 in Madison after a long illness.

Code was a celebrated scientist who pioneered launching telescopes into space to avoid the distorting effect of Earthâ??s atmosphere.

He once said that seeing the stars from the ground was like “bird watching from the bottom of a swimming pool.”

Arthur Dodd Code, age 85, died on Wednesday, March 11, 2009. Early in his career, Professor Code held a post at the  University of Wisconsin (1950-56). He returned to the University of Wisconsin where he served as professor of astronomy, director of Washburn Observatory, and chairman of the Department of Astronomy (1958-70). At the time of his death he was the Joel Stebbins and Hilldale professor of astronomy emeritus. He was extensively involved in the national space program since the inception of NASA in 1958, founded and for many years directed the University of Wisconsin Space Astronomy Laboratory, and was principal investigator for the Wisconsin Experimental Package aboard the first Orbiting Astronomical Observatory launched Dec. 7, 1968. Throughout his career he was eager to educate the general public about space research and to teach children about astronomy, and he took pleasure in lecturing at such venues as the University of Wisconsin Space Place that he helped initiate.

Michael Walton Pfau passed away on Thursday, March 12, 2009, in Norman, Okla. after a brief illness. Dr. Pfau was a professor in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Wisconsin-Madison from 1993 until 2001.