Sunday, September 03, 2017

Obituary: James David Kempfer - Class of 1960

CHERRYVILLE, N.C.—James David “Jim” Kempfer, age 75, passed away Friday, Aug. 18, 2017, at his residence. He was born June 25, 1942, in Madison, Wis., to the late Gillman and Ruth Opheim Kempfer. Jim was a retired sales associate for Walmart and formerly a computer specialist for Carolina Freight. He also worked for the Madison Metropolitan School District as a computer specialist. He was a Vietnam veteran and a member of the American Legion Post No. 100 and the North American Hunting Club. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, target shooting and cooking, and also loved listening to Elvis music.

He is survived by his son, Mark (Chris) Kempfer of Sun Prairie, Wis.; his beloved granddaughter, Alyssa Rose Kempfer of Sun Prairie, Wis.; his sister, Gail (Gary) Larson of DeForest, Wis.; his sister, Lavonne Sommers of Madison, Wis.; and brother, Tom (Cheyl) Kempfer of Lake Mills, Wis.; and many nieces and nephews.

There will be no service as this was Jim’s wish. God Bless you,Dad/Grandpa!! We hope you are not in any pain anymore. We love you lots!! Till we meet again.....  

James Kempfer's class year is based on information in the 1960 Tychoberahn yearbook, where he is pictured among the graduating seniors.

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on September 3, 2017. Submitted by Michael Vahldieck (Class of 1968).

Obituary: Peter Patau - Class of 1960

MADISON—Peter Hinrich Patau died in a Madison hospital after a brave battle with congestive heart and kidney disease on Aug. 18, 2017. As a photographer, writer, and artist Madison has lost one of its great chroniclers and true appreciators. His remarkable photographic eye and vivid writing style captured iconic Madison scenes, political events, and Madison moments for decades. He was a frequent contributor of photos and writing to many Wisconsin publications—including Isthmus, Madison Magazine, The Wisconsin State Journal, The Capital Times, and many others. In recent years Peter focused on publishing his work online. An early adopter to the internet, it was an ideal way of sharing his writing, his ideas, his drawings, and especially his photographs. Letter From Here, his blog; his Facebook site; and his Flickr site are all marvelous troves of his energies and interests, drawings, and a viewing gallery for his photographs. His family hopes that you will stop by them and take a look.

 Peter-Hinrich Bernard Patau was born in Berlin, Germany, on Nov. 7, 1942, to German parents. His father, Klaus Patau, later became a UW Genetics Professor and researcher. His mother, Christine Auslander Patau, was an aspiring opera singer. His younger brother, Jurgen, was born in 1945. A photo-filled Life Magazine cover story about Madison reached Peter’s father in Berlin—enchanted by the photos, he moved his family to Madison in 1949. Peter graduated from Madison Central High School in 1960 as valedictorian. He attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Peter met the young woman who would become his wife, Trudi von Arndt, on the steps of the old Madison Public Library. They both were 15 and both carrying huge stacks of books. On their first date, they saw Ingmar Bergman’s “Smiles of a Summer Night” at the Majestic Theater in downtown Madison. Peter and Trudi were best friends and married for 53 years, living first in San Francisco, then in New York City. They shared an unstuffy love of books, movies, art, and ideas of all kinds. The two of them returned to Madison where their beloved daughter, Miranda, was born. Peter cherished the small celebrations and the fun of family life—car trips to Maine and New York City, summer camping at Point Beach on Lake Michigan, picnics, little family rituals. Hundreds of his beautiful photos and drawings keep these times alive for his family. Peter spent most of his adult life in Madison, where he used his gift for writing, and his photographic expertise to build a career in publishing and Credit Union magazines. He enjoyed his work, and made many lifelong friends. People who knew him well, knew that he was as proud of having driven a Madison cab in his youthful days, as he was of having had a corner office with a view.

 Peter was a voracious reader with wide-ranging interests, and was a true advocate for public libraries—weekly bringing home stacks of books. Peter had a lively mind, his family and friends loved talking with him. His family remembers him as a skipper of stones, a bicycle rider who loved wolves, who taught his daughter about physics and how to drive and let her stay up too late building a block structure with him that was mostly staircases when she was 5. We miss him more than we can say.

 He leaves behind his wife, Trudi, who thinks 53 years of conversation with him was not nearly enough; his daughter, Miranda; and his brother, Jurgen (Jean).

 Respecting his wishes there will be a private service. In lieu of flowers, take a bike ride, or walk up Frederick’s Hill and look out at the view. If you want to make a donation, help support the local arts - take in a play, attend a local music event, buy a book from a bookstore, support the public library. And he would say, take care of each other.  

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on September 3, 2017. Submitted by Michael Vahldieck (Class of 1968).

Tuesday, July 04, 2017

Obituary: Paul Charles Washington, Sr. - Class of 1953

MADISON - Paul was born December 21, 1934, in Wauwatosa, WI. his mother, Frances Givens, named him Charles Givens. Paul was adopted by Suzie and Reverend Joseph Washington of Madison and was named Paul Charles Washington and grew-up in the Greenbush Community.

Paul attended Old Marquette, New Marquette, Lapham and Central High School. He entered the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict and was assigned to Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland where he trained as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Specialist. Paul was sent overseas and served in Seoul and Incheon, Korea where he was injured in a mine sweeping accident. He returned home in 1955 and returned to work at UW Hospital after having several surgeries.

Paul met and married Shirley Alexander in 1956. They have six children and celebrated 40 years of marriage.

Paul did an apprenticeship in Mortuary Service at Obey’s Funeral Home in Milwaukee, WI. He returned to Madison where he worked at Gisholt Manufacturing, City of Madison Water Utility, Madison Police Department-Special Services, Dane County Sheriff’s Department, and part-time for the U.S. Marshall’s office. After his retirement, he and Shirley moved to California for the next 7 years. He returned to Madison and worked full-time as a driver for Dunham Express; then went to work for Fed-Ex Office and retired after 10 years of service.

Paul was very active he was involved with the Madison Scouts and a Boy Scouts leader. In Veteran’s Organizations including the Dane County Veterans Service Office-Commissioner; Disabled American Veterans-past State Commander; VFW 1318; Korean War Veteran Chapter-President; and was heavily involved with Badger Honor Flight. He also volunteered at Madison VA Hospital. He was a charter member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church. In his free-time he enjoyed golfing, bowling and loved to be friendly and helpful to people.

Paul is survived by his children, Joseph (Janet), Donald (Nancy), Larry, Paulette (Carmelita), Della and Paul Jr., and grandson, Brandon and other step-grand and great grandchildren. He has an adopted brother, Dr. Joseph Washington Jr., special cousin, Sina Thompson, stepbrother, Frankie A. Thompson; cousins, nieces, nephews, and many, many, friends.

 A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, July 8, 2017 at ST. PETER CATHOLIC CHURCH, 5001 North Sherman Avenue, Madison, with Msgr. Charles Schluter presiding. A visitation will be held from 9:00 AM until time of Mass on Saturday at the church. Burial at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery. The family would like to thank the Madison VA hospital 4th and 7th floor nurses, the VA CLC Hospice nurses, VA Infusion nurses, the UW Radiation Clinic, and all the VA Hospital and UW doctors for all their support while going through this difficult time. Donations can be made to the Badger Honor Flight, St. Peter’s Catholic Church and UW Cancer Research.

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on July 4, 2017.

Monday, March 20, 2017

Obituary: Joseph S. DiMaggio - Class of 1967

MCFARLAND [Wisconsin]  - Joseph S. DiMaggio, age 67, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, March 28, 2017. He was born in Madison, on Nov. 2, 1949, to Joseph and Audrey (Brockman) DiMaggio.  Joe grew up in Madison and went to Central High School. He then went on to own and operate DiMaggio's Good Year for many years. He later went on to work at Alliant Energy where he retired. Joe loved travel with his wife, Gerri, and his children, Tony and Angie. They visited many beautiful places. Family was the most important thing to Joe, especially his grandson, Eli, who he worshiped. He also loved sports. If you stopped by on a weekend you would see him watching the Badgers or NASCAR and if he wasn't home he was attending one of Eli's sporting events. Joe also was a very generous person and if anyone needed help he was always there for them.  When Joe was 16 he met the love of his life, the woman he would marry and spend the next 50 years with, Gerri M. Stapleman. They then went on to have two children, Tony and Angie.  Joe is survived by his two children, Tony (Yvonne Simms) of Evansville and Angie DiMaggio of McFarland; grandson, Eli; and many brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews.  Joe was preceded in death by his mother and father; his wife, Gerri DiMaggio; his brother, Paul; and his nephews, Zachary and Jovanni.  Joe was loved and will be missed by many, but he is now reunited with his wife, Gerri, and many others who have passed. Joe is now at peace and pain free and although he is gone, he will forever be in our hearts. God bless you dad/grandpa, (as Eli put it) may you rest in peace until we meet again.  Mass of Christian Burial will be held at HOLY MOTHER OF CONSOLATION CATHOLIC CHURCH, 651 N. Main St., Oregon, on Saturday, April 1, 2017, beginning at 11 a.m. with a luncheon to immediately follow. Visitation will be held on Saturday at the church from 9 a.m. until the time of service.  The family would to extend our sincere gratitude and appreciation for all your support and condolences.  All Faiths Funeral & Cremation Services  Madison (608) 442-0477

Joseph DiMaggio's class year is based on information in the 1967 Tychoberahn yearbook, where he is pictured among the graduating seniors.

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on March 20, 2017. Submitted by Michael Vahldieck (Class of 1968).