Obituary: Harold Haak - Class of 1953

FRESNO, CALIF. - Dr. Harold Howard Haak passed away Sunday, Dec. 26, 2003, in Fresno, Calif. Harold "Bud" was born in Madison June 1, 1935. He attended Madison Central High School. Harold was selected to be in the ILS program at the University of Wisconsin where he received his B.A. in political science in 1957, graduating with Phi Beta Kappa and Phi Kappa Phi honors. He received his master's in political science from the University of Wisconsin in 1958 as a Detling Fellow. Following his education at the University of Wisconsin, Harold was a management intern in the administrative office, Departmental Civilian Personnel Division, Navy Department, Washington, D.C., from 1958 to 1960. Harold received his Ph.D. in political science from Princeton University in 1963 and was a Princeton National Fellow, and University Wilson Fellow. Dr. Haak was hired as an assistant professor at San Diego State University. He then became an associate professor of political science, and taught from 1962 to 1969. In San Diego, Dr. Haak also served as dean of professional studies and associate professor of public administration and urban studies. He left that position in 1971 to become the vice president for academic affairs at Fresno State. He served in this position for two years. In 1973, Dr. Haak became the chancellor of the newly named University of Colorado at Denver (UCD). He served six and a half years in Colorado. Dr. Haak returned to Fresno as president of California State University Fresno (CSUF) in 1980. His presidency spanned eleven and a half years. During this time he served on numerous committees in both academic, and public service. In 1990, he was voted one of Fresno's most influential people. He stepped down as president of CSUF in 1991. From 1992 to 1993, Dr. Haak served as senior vice chancellor of academic affairs for the California State University system. He returned to CSUF to teach public administration in 1993. In 1997, Dr. Haak served as a consultant to Yerevan State and University and the Engineering University of Armenia, returning seven times to continue this work. From 2000-2002, Dr. Haak accepted a position as president of Fresno Pacific University until a long-term candidate could be found. Dr. Haak served on the board of directors of numerous organizations, and was widely published. His publications include numerous articles in professional journals, several books and most recently, a children's book entitled "The Mubox Bugs." Harold is survived by his wonderful wife and companion of 48 years, Betty Haak; his brother, Lou Haak of Chicago; a sister, Victoria Helbing of Douglas, Ariz.; his daughters, Alison Kaiser and Janet Suniga of Fresno; along with their six wonderful grandsons; and many nieces and nephews. Harold was preceded in death by his parents, Harold J. and Laura Haak; and his sister, Betty Ann Haak. A memorial service was held on Jan. 3, 2004, in Fresno, Calif.

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on February 1, 2004


Harold Haak, former Fresno State president, lapses into coma

Haak, former president of California State University, Fresno, and Fresno Pacific University, is in a coma at Saint Agnes Medical Center in north Fresno, the longtime educator's son-in-law said Thursday night. Jared Kaiser said Haak was recently admitted to Saint Agnes because he was having an allergic reaction. He took a serious turn for the worse Wednesday, Kaiser added. Doctors "ruled out a stroke ... but it was like he'd had a stroke," Kaiser said. At one point Wednesday, he said, Haak's heart stopped, and he stopped breathing. Medical personnel revived him, Kaiser said, but "they're not sure how long he was without oxygen." Kaiser said Haak has been in a coma since then and is on a respirator. "I talked with a neurologist, and he's not real hopeful," Kaiser said. "... We're not real hopeful, but we're open to miracles." He added: "He's not only a great president of the universities he served, he's a great father-in-law." Kaiser is married to Haak's daughter, Alison. Kaiser said Haak and his wife, Betty, recently returned from a Caribbean cruise with friends. Shortly after his in-laws returned, Kaiser said, Haak had hip replacement surgery. Haak, 68, was Fresno State's president from 1980 to 1991. He was succeeded by current President John Welty. When Haak retired from Fresno State, observers credited him with a strong yet calm administrative style that helped the university recover from the lingering rancor of the Vietnam War and years of often bitter relations between faculty and administrators. The university's athletic program was accepted into the Western Athletic Conference while Haak was president. He agreed in March 2000 to become interim president of Christian- based Fresno Pacific until a replacement could be named. He served until Merrill Ewert took over as president in 2002.

News story (above) originally printed in The Fresno Bee on December 26, 2003

Harold H. Haak dies at age 68 Former Fresno State president led school through tough times

By Jim Steinberg, The Fresno Bee

Harold H. Haak, a scholar who guided Fresno State's transition from a troubled ollege into a broad and growing university, died Friday afternoon in Fresno. He was 68.

Mr. Haak had entered Saint Agnes Medical Center in recent days, apparently suffering an allergic reaction to medication. He lapsed into cardiac arrest Wednesday, but was revived. He had been sustained on a respirator in a coma.

Mr. Haak served as university president from 1980 to 1991 and as interim president of Fresno Pacific University from March 2000 to June 2002.

Professors and administrators remembered Mr. Haak as a learned, pipe-smoking academician who never let his Princeton doctorate in politics stifle a self-deprecating wit. He increased the number of women in Fresno State's administration and saw the university's student population surpass 19,000.

At Fresno Pacific, Mr. Haak guided that university through difficult financial straits, trimming more than $1 million from its $22 million budget, freezing all but essential spending and canceling a planned staff salary increase. Before leaving Fresno Pacific, he said the campus budget had moved into the black.

Two successors praised Mr. Haak on Friday.

President John Welty of California State University, Fresno, said, "He was extremely helpful when I arrived, and continued that assistance."

Mr. Haak, he said, "laid the foundation for a great deal of growth that has occurred over the years. He maintained his sense of humor, a very important characteristic for a university president to have. He always saw the positive, and was able to use humor to deflect a lot of conversations that might have become tense."

President Merrill Ewert of Fresno Pacific said: "I would call him about specific questions, meet him for coffee and talk. He was somebody I listened to, trusted and considered a good friend."
Ewert described features of Mr. Haak's leadership style as walks around campus, talks with people, listening and telling stories. Mr. Haak made it look easy for a committed Lutheran to thrive at the Mennonite university, Ewert said.

Fresno Pacific spokeswoman Dianna Mock recalls Mr. Haak baffling friends with card tricks. She said: "He was an absolutely wonderful human being, never without a joke or a song. Oh, did he sing! We didn't even need entertainment at his retirement party."

Mr. Haak's reputation led the Clovis Unified School District to call on him and retired Judge Armando Rodriguez in 2001 to lead an athletic eligibility investigation at Clovis West High School. The high-profile case took Mr. Haak and Judge Rodriguez to the Dominican Republic, where they determined that former basketball player Charlie Rodriguez had been too old to be eligible.

Peter Klassen was dean of social sciences through Mr. Haak's Fresno State presidency, and later helped attract him to Fresno Pacific. He remembers Mr. Haak as an educator open to new ideas.
"You could always speak to him as a friend," Klassen said. "He had a real sense of humor."
Klassen, president of the Fresno Pacific Board of Trustees, asked Mr. Haak to consider assuming the Fresno Pacific presidency for two years. Mr. Haak then said, "Hey, I think I would enjoy that."

His crucial fill-in role culminated a long career in education. Mr. Haak was born in the depths of the Depression on June 1, 1935, in Madison, Wis. He received his bachelor's degree at the University of Wisconsin, where he was Phi Beta Kappa in political science. He earned his master's degree there in political science, followed by a doctorate in politics from Princeton University.

Mr. Haak worked as an assistant and associate professor of political science at San Diego State University and later, dean of the College of Professional Studies there.

He first arrived at Fresno State in 1971, hired by President Norman Baxter as academic vice president responsible for academic planning, curriculum development and innovation. He was responsible as well for the academic personnel program, allocation of faculty positions and instructional budgets.

Mr. Haak left Fresno State to become chancellor of the University of Colorado at Denver in 1973, where he remained until he was named Fresno State president.

He used humor to smooth relations with faculty. Communication professor Melanie Bloom, a former president of Fresno State's Academic Senate, recalls the learn-at-lunch program he began for faculty and staff. He volunteered as its first speaker.

Bloom remembers Mr. Haak laughing with wet pants, telling the slightly intimidated academics, "I have done it. I was using the restroom, and my pants fell into the toilet. I wondered how to explain it, and decided to tell the truth."

Bloom said, "It absolutely endeared him to that audience."

She also remembers him navigating sensitive particulars at the eulogy for a faculty member. His eulogy showed such warmth and compassion, but it didn't deny the difficulty involved," Bloom said. "He dealt with it with great compassion and love."

When Mr. Haak arrived as president, relations between Fresno State and the Fresno community suffered serious frictions, Bloom said. A computer center had been firebombed. The university had not emerged completely from its divisions over the Vietnam War. "He began to build a bridge with the community through athletics," she said. "It has been wonderful. Now you see tremendous support from the community for athletics and the other university operations as well. It is a different school than when he came, and President Welty has pursued that change."


News story (above) originally published in The Fresno Bee on December 27, 2003

Obituary: Madeline Marie (Vitale) Healy

MADISON - Madeline Marie Healy, age 70, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2004, surrounded by her children and grandchildren, at the home of her daughter, Nina, and son-in-law, David Genin. Madeline, known as Maggie, had long suffered with multiple sclerosis and diabetes. Maggie was born on Dec. 24, 1933, the second youngest of eight children born to her parents, Francisco and Mary (Reggio) Vitale. Madeline graduated from Central High School in Madison. The majority of her health care career was at Central Wisconsin Center in Madison. She married William Joseph Healy on Aug. 14, 1954. They renewed their marriage vows on March 30, 1981. Maggie and Joe enjoyed night skating, midnight swims, and Saturday dance marathons with their five children. Maggie especially loved to be surrounded by her children, grandchildren, and other family members. She opened her home to needy children and often brought home her Central Wisconsin residents for family holiday dinners. Maggie possessed a beautiful singing voice and was a member of her church choir. Maggie was an accomplished cook and baker. She was known for her homemade pasta, sauce, and Italian sausage. Maggie loved to bake Italian Christmas cookies with her children and grandchildren. Maggie served as a Boy Scout den leader. Maggie is survived by her five children, Mary Jo (Scott) Wilkerson of Marshall, Helen (Phil) Raatz of Fort Atkinson, Patty Schutte of Des Moines, Iowa, Ned (Sarah) Healy of Fort Atkinson, and Nina (David) Genin of Madison; her 13 grandchildren, Heather (Bob) See of Des Moines, Iowa, Crystal (Todd) Schneider of Cambridge, 2nd Lt. Mitchell (Katie) Powell stationed at Fort Rucker, Ala., Justin and Willie Powell and Shawn Wilkerson of Marshall, Lynsey, Lukas, and Max Genin of Madison, Madelyn and Katelyn Raatz of Fort Atkinson, and Sam and Keagan Healy of Fort Atkinson; two great-grandchildren, Isabeu and Elyjah See of Des Moines, Iowa; and many nieces and nephews. Maggie was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; two grandsons, David and William; her sisters, Anne Troia and Madaline Vitale; and her brothers, Joseph, Thomas, Peter, Dominic and James Vitale. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. BERNARD CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2450 Atwood Ave., Madison, at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 30, 2004, with Monsignor Michael Hippee presiding. Burial will be at Resurrection Cemetery. A luncheon will follow. Friends may call at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 29, 2004. We are eternally grateful to our courageous sister, Nina Genin, her husband, David, and their three children for the tender and loving care they provided to our mom and grandmother during her last two years. We also want to express our sincere thanks to HospiceCare of Madison for their gentle guidance during Maggie's final journey home. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be sent to HospiceCare, Inc., 5395 E. Cheryl Parkway, Madison, WI 53711 Gunderson East Funeral Home (608) 221-5420

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on January 28, 2004

Obituary: Vincent J. Geier

MADISON - Vincent J. Geier, age 84, died on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2004, at Meriter Hospital. He was born May 2, 1919. Vincent married the former Lois F. Musser on Jan. 18, 1941, and she preceded him in death in 2000. He graduated from Central High School in 1938. Vincent served in the U.S. Marine Corps as a corporal in the Pacific and Iwo Jima during World War II. He was employed as a Madison Firefighter for 31 years, later becoming Chief of Training. After retiring from the fire department, he was employed as coordinator of Safety Consumer Education and a project director of Educational Programs for Emergency Care, both at the Department of Continuing Medical Education at the University of Wisconsin-Extension. He was a member of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. Vincent is survived by his five children, Sandra McDowell, Carol (Henry) Brehm, Steven (Ann) Geier, Christopher (Dina) Geier, all of Madison, and Kathy (Jack) Czerwonka of West Allis. He is further survived by his grandchildren, Marc McDowell, Kelly (Tony) Galli, Lisa (Bruce) Bunescu, Greg (Sarah) Brehm, Matt Geier, Emily Geier, Kayla Czerwonka, Alison Geier and Eric Geier; great-grandchildren, Ryan McDowell, Bailey Bunescu and Anna Brehm. Vincent is also survived by his sister, Rosanna (Hal) Roche; brother-in-law, John McDermott; and sisters-in-law, Mary Geier and Helen Geier; and many nieces and nephews. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at BLESSED SACRAMENT CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2115 Rowley Ave., on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2004, at 11 a.m. Friends may call from 9:30 a.m. until time of service at the church. Burial will follow at Resurrection Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Hospital or the American Diabetes Association. The family extends special thanks to the caregivers at Meriter Hospital, especially Dr. Joseph Gergyes and nurse, Scott, for their diligent and compassionate care of our dad. Dad, we'll miss you and we love you. Cress Funeral Service 3610 Speedway Road (608) 238-3434

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on January 18, 2004

Obituary: John R. Cochems

MADISON - John R. Cochems, age 87, died on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2004, at a local nursing home. He was born on Feb. 19, 1916, in Bayside, N.Y. He married the former Ruth E. Schmitz on Nov. 28, 1942. She preceded him in death in 1988. He graduated from Central High School and attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison and graduated from LaCrosse State University. John served four years in the United States Coast Guard and was in the Anzio and Normandy battles of WWII. He was employed as an accountant for the State of Wisconsin and the University of Wisconsin for 38 years and retired in 1983. John was a life member of the Madison Elks Club and the Knights of Columbus. He was a member and former President of the University of Wisconsin Service Club. John loved his family, especially important to him were the times spent with them in Door County. He was an avid golfer and golfed in many leagues. He was a member of Blessed Sacrament Church and a member of Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church. John is survived by his four children, Richard of Sturgeon Bay, Wis., and Venice, Fla., Julie (Terry) Keating of Huntsville, Ala., Steve (fiance Joanne Fredrickson) Battle Lake, Minn., and Nick (Vicki) Cochems of Madison, Wis. He is further survived by grandchildren, Brent (Amy) Cochems, Scott (Mel) Cochems, Karen and Laura Keating, Danielle, John and Chris Cochems, and Austin and Kelsey Mader; great-granddaughter, Nicole Cochems. He is also survived by Mary Cochems and special friend, Norma Arvold and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Eddie and May Cochems; his brothers and sister, Philip, Elizabeth, David and Henry.; daughters-in-law, Sally Kuehling Cochems and Julie Jensen Cochems. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at OUR LADY QUEEN OF PEACE CATHOLIC CHURCH, 401 South Owen Dr. at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2004. Friends may call from 9:30 until the time of service, on Tuesday at the church. Burial will follow in Resurrection Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Queen of Peace Church or the American Diabetes Association. The family extends special thanks to the caregivers of St. Mary's Care Center. Cress Funeral Service 3610 Speedway Road Madison, Wis. 53705

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on January 12, 2004

Obituary: Roy "Dunn" C. Shelton - Class of 1942

MADISON - Roy "Dunn" C. Shelton, age 79, was born March 25, 1924, and went to his eternal resting place Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2004. Roy was born and raised in Madison, to the late Annabelle and Roy Shelton Sr. He attended Longfellow Elementary School and graduated from Madison Central High School in 1942. Roy participated in sports especially track and field. Since 1941 Roy had an unbroken record in track and field in long distance running. Roy was best known throughout Madison as an avid bowler. He loved music, especially jazz and loved to dance. Roy worked many years for the state of Wisconsin and retired in 1986. Roy married Vivian Kinsey and from this union six children were born. He later married Thelma Talley Feb. 14, 1980. Roy leaves to cherish his loving wife Thelma; his children, Michael Shelton, Sauk Village, Ill., Sharon Banks, Chicago, Ill., Bonita (Harold) Ferguson Hinsdale, Ill., Lawrence (Ineicer) Shelton, Calumet City, Ill., Judith Shelton, Chicago, Ill., Rita (Alvin) Henderson, Madison, Georgia Underwood, Madison, and Veronica Kelly-Blakley, Chicago, Ill.; 20 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; mother-in-law, Corrie Talley, Spartanburg, S.C.; sisters-in-law, Margaret McIntyre, Madison, and Carol Talley, Spartanburg, S.C.; many nieces and nephews; his lifelong friend, Charles Collins, Madison; a special adopted son, Ronald Smith; and a host of other friends. Services will be held at noon Monday, Jan. 12, 2004, at MOUNT ZION BAPTIST CHURCH, 2019 Fisher St. where friends may call from 10 a.m. until time of service. Minister Melva Bishop will officiate and burial will follow in Forest Hill Cemetery. Cress Funeral Service 3325 E. Washington Ave. (608) 249-6666

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on January 11, 2004

Obituart: Herman R. Heim

MADISON - Herman R. Heim, age 94, a lifelong Madison resident, passed away on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2004, at St. Marys Medical Center. He was born on Dec. 9, 1909, in Madison, the son of the late Laura (Sturm) and Herman A. Heim. Herman was born into the family homestead at 515 State St. and lived 36 of his first 41 years on State Street. He was a graduate of Holy Redeemer Grade School, Central High School and attended the University of Wisconsin. From 1927 to 1964 Herman was a furrier and accountant with Hershleder Furs. During World War II, Herman worked for Rayovac making batteries for the war effort. He served as an accountant with Sprague-Dawley. On July 25, 1932, at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, he was united in marriage to Clara (Huerth) Heim. Herman and Clara had two daughters, Joan (Thomas) Echtner of Glendale, and Barbara (Thomas) Severn of Topeka, Kan. Clara passed away after 51 years of marriage. After Clara's death, he and Elizabeth "Betty" Togstad-Jimieson-Sherburne Heim met one another and united in marriage at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in 1983 and spent the last 20 years as husband, wife and companions. Herman was an avid sports fan whose family housed many UW athletes in their State Street home. He was a 60-year UW football season ticket holder and relished telling stories about decades of UW athletes and games. He seldom missed watching or listening to the Badgers and the Packers, and had many memories of 80-plus years of major league baseball. He enjoyed sharing his interest in sports with his children, grandchildren and their spouses. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, and Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church where he regularly attended daily Mass. In addition to his wife, Betty, and his daughters and son-in laws, Joan, Thomas, Barbara and Thomas, he is survived by his step-children, Sherry (John) Jimieson, James Jimieson, Ann (Tim) Sweeney and Mary (Michael) Bosold; his grandchildren and step-grandchildren, Christine (Jeff) Georgson, Mark Echtner, Teresa (Bill) Blatz, Bill (Paula) Severn, David (Denise) Severn, Christopher (Amy) Jimieson, Stacy (Ryan) Weime, Sarah Jimieson, Colleen (Paul) Hathaway, Patrick and Katie Sweeney, Bridget (Chad) Koening, Molly (Jon) Pfister and Brian Bosold; his great-grandchildren and great-step-grandchildren, Samantha Georgson, Adam and David Blatz, Hunter, Haley, Hannah, Clara and Andrew Severn, Betsy and Kelly Hathaway, and Isabella and Ashleigh Koening; and his cousin, Irene Newman, age 108. Herman was predeceased by his wife, Clara; his siblings, Monsignor Joseph Heim, Henry Heim, Phillip Heim, Laura Colahan and Francis (Dolly) Prokop; and a step-stepson, John Jimieson. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2004, at OUR LADY QUEEN OF PEACE CATHOLIC CHURCH, 405 S. Owen Drive. A visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until the service at the church. Monsignor Kenneth Fiedler will officiate. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Our Lady Queen of Peace endowment. Herman was blessed with a sharp intellect for all of his life. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend. By his quiet example, Herman taught the virtues of kindness, patience and humility, and the true meaning of what it meant to be a gentle man. Hermie, we love you and will miss you, ol' boy. Love is patient; love is kind. Love is not jealous, it does not put on airs, it is not snobbish. Love is never rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not prone to anger; neither does it brood over injuries. Love does not rejoice in what is wrong but rejoices with the truth. There is no limit to love's forbearance, to its trust, its hope, its power to endure. Joyce-Ryan Funeral Home 5701 Odana Road (608) 274-1000

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on January 6, 2004

Obituary: Harriet (Rathbun) Lindwall - Class of 1921

MADISON - Harriet Lindwall, age 99, died on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2004, at Oakwood Village West, Madison. She was born on Oct. 18, 1904, in LaValle, the daughter of William and Clara Rathbun. After graduating from Madison High School in June 1921, she attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison and earned both an undergraduate and master's degree in French. After graduating from college, she spent time furthering her studies of French at the University of Grenoble, Grenoble, France. She used this knowledge to teach high school French in Manitowoc, where she met her future husband, Bob Lindwall, who was a teacher and coach at the same school. On Aug. 1, 1936, they were married at her parent's home in Madison. Harriet was a very active person, helping out with the Cub Scouts, Junior Service League of Manitowoc, First Presbyterian Church, Chapter J PEO sisterhood and various other groups. Harriett was a great cook, an accomplished pianist, and a wonderful mom and wife to her three boys and husband. After Bob's death in 1985, she remained at her home in Manitowoc, until 1992, when she moved to her son, Robert's home, in Chicago, until October 2002, when she moved to Oakwood Village West in Madison. Harriet is survived by her three sons, Jon (Barbara), Robert (Dan) and Larry (Suzanne); sister, Edith Resan; five grandchildren, Todd (Julie), Lisa, Christopher (Jill), Jenny and TJ; and four great-grandchildren, Krista, Colin, Cole and Jewel Lindwall. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bob; her parents; four sisters, Marion, Mildred, Wilma and Norma; brother, William; and may nieces and nephews. She was a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother and will be missed by many. A celebration of Harriett's life will be held at the chapel at OAKWOOD VILLAGE WEST, 6201 Mineral Point road, Madison, at noon on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2004. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Oakwood Lutheran Homes, 6201 Mineral Point Road, Madison, WI 53705. The family wishes to thank the caring people of the second floor at Hebron Oaks for making her last days comfortable. Cress Funeral Service 3610 Speedway Road (608) 238-3434

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on January 5, 2004

Obituary: Mary (Petratta) Bench

MADISON - Mary Bench, passed from this life in her sleep on Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2003. She was born in Sicily on March 31, 1917, to George and Rose (Salerno) Petratta. Mary came to the United States when she was five years old, settling with her parents and infant brother, Nick in Chicago. Her father died shortly after. Her mother then married George Incorvino and there was three sons born of that marriage, Vito, Ben and George Jr. They moved to the Greenbush neighborhood where Mary and her brothers were raised. Mary graduated from Central High School and began working for the Dutch Maid Ice Cream Company located in the lower level of the First National Bank Building at the corner of Park Street and University Avenue. Mary met Rolland Guilligan during this time and they were married on April 22, 1938. Of this marriage, two daughters, Rosemary and Joyce Ellen, were born. Rolland was in poor health and he died on May 21, 1946, leaving HER to raise two very small daughters. She continued working at the Dutch Maid, but moved to a new location on Atwood Avenue. She met Charles Bench and they married on June 7, 1948. Mary went to Madison Area Technical College and took classes to enable her to gain employment at Oscar Mayer and Company. Mary and Chuck build a new home on the northeast side of Madison in 1953, where Shari Louise and Cynthia Lynn were born. Mary continued working at Oscar Mayer until her retirement in 1982. Chuck died on March 30, 1993. Mary continued living alone until her health failed and she moved to an assisted living facility. Mary is survived by four daughters, Rosemary (Charles) Carr of Sauk City, Joyce (Robert) Foster of Waunakee, Shari (James) Riphon of Lodi, and Cynthia (Tim) Culp of Orem, Utah; a brother, Nick Petratta of Springdale, Ark.; 11 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; AND several nieces and nephews. Her parents; step-father; three step-brothers; an infant step-sister, Sarah; two husbands; and a granddaughter, Karen Oetzelpreceded her in death. Services were held at the Gunderson East Funeral Home on Monona Drive on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2003, with interment at Roselawn Cemetery.

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on January 1, 2004

Obituary: Clarence Harvey Goldsby - Class of 1969

MADISON - Clarence Harvey Goldsby, age 53, died on Sunday, Dec. 14, 2003, in his home. He was born on Aug. 8, 1950, in Crowell, Texas, the son of Oliver and Juanita (Newman) Harvey. He graduated from Central High School in Madison, in 1969. Clarence loved to play the piano and was an avid chess player. Survivors include his mother, Juanita Gibson of Texas; five brothers, David (Annette Rogers) Goldsby, Kenneth (Shirley Files) Goldsby, Michael Goldsby and Jeffrey (Lisa) Goldsby, all of Madison, and Mark (Lisa) Goldsby of Marshall; a sister, Marchel (Edwin) Hill of Madison; his maternal grandmother, Delia Newman of Texas; two sisters-in-law, Janice Russell and Keri Behm, both of Madison; numerous aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews; and cousins. He was preceded in death by his father; a brother, James Goldsby; his maternal grandfather; and his paternal grandparents. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 19, 2003, at the S.S. MORRIS COMMUNITY A.M.E. CHURCH, 3511 Milwaukee St. The Rev. Gregory Armstrong will officiate. In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials in his name for a fund to be established at a later date. Cress Funeral Service 3325 E. Washington Ave. (608) 249-6666

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on December 17, 2003

Obituary: Frederick W. Miller - Class of 1930

Fred Miller Dies At 91
He Guided Paper's Evjue Foundation

Frederick W. Miller, 91, who for more than two decades led The Capital Times Co. and was long the guiding light behind The Evjue Foundation, the newspaper's charity, died late Monday night after a brief illness.

Born March 18, 1912, he passed away at the Don and Marilyn Anderson HospiceCare Center in the room facing the garden that had been named in honor of his late wife, Vi. He had been taken to the hospice last Friday when he began having severe breathing problems brought on by heart failure.

Mr. Miller was active at the newspaper until a few days ago, keeping office hours every morning and taking part in numerous social and civic events in the evenings. He was particularly proud of his role as treasurer of The Evjue Foundation Inc., which under his tutelage grew from a meager beginning to an institution with more than $25 million in assets that distributes more than $2 million annually to the community.

"Fred Miller was a rock of strength to us in the newsroom," said Dave Zweifel, editor of The Capital Times. "We are going to miss him tremendously."

Although he had been close to The Capital Times since 1939 when he married Violet Jane Bagley, the niece of William T. Evjue, the paper's founder, and Zillah Evjue, he didn't take an active daily role in the paper until 1978 when its second publisher, Miles McMillin, retired.

At the time, Mr. Miller had just retired himself after working as an attorney for the state of Wisconsin for more than 41 years. He was hired by the state fresh out of the UW Law School in 1936 to help set up the state's first unemployment compensation program. He worked in the division as an attorney and then later as an administrative law judge until 1977.

While he was still working with the state, Mr. Miller had been elected to The Capital Times' board of directors in 1951, and when McMillin retired in 1978, the board selected him to be the company's president and the newspaper's third publisher. He relinquished those two posts to Clayton Frink in 1993 but retained the title of chairman of the board and continued his leading role with the foundation and the William T. Evjue Charitable Trust until his death.

"Fred was a firm but gentle leader, helping The Capital Times continue in the tradition begun by Mr. Evjue," Frink said today. "His leadership allowed our company to grow and prosper and continue as a strong voice in the Madison area community."

Jerry Frautschi, a member of The Evjue Foundation board whose $100 million gift to the city inspired the Overture Center, now under construction, said Mr. Miller's death is "a great loss to Madison. He was an outstanding, wonderful supporter of the community."

Pleasant Rowland, founder of the American Girl Collection and Pleasant Co., and Frautschi's wife, said Mr. Miller was instrumental to the success of Concerts of the Square, which over its 20-year history has become a mainstay of Madison's cultural scene. Under Mr. Miller's leadership, The Evjue Foundation helped fund the event's first year.

"Its part of the fabric of the community now," said Rowland, who originally conceived the idea. "The kind of fabric Fred envisioned for the community."

Former Madison Mayor Paul Soglin, who had frequent contact with Mr. Miller over the years, at civic functions as well as at The Capital Times office, said he embodied Madison's progressive tradition.

"Fred, more than anyone else, was the link back to Mr. Evjue," Soglin said. "What always struck me about Fred was when others were retired, he was as focused as ever on the political issues of the day and never wavered from his progressive roots."

Badger athlete:

Mr. Miller's physical condition always belied his age. He attributed much of that to his athleticism as a youth. A graduate of old Central High School, he was a star on the basketball team and went on to play varsity basketball at the University of Wisconsin.

As a freshman, he participated in the first basketball game ever played at the then brand-new UW Field House, lettering in the sport in 1931, 1932 and 1933. As a result, he was asked to participate in the ceremonies following the final game in the Field House when basketball moved to the new Kohl Center in 1998.

UW Athletic Director Pat Richter said Mr. Miller was a consistent supporter of UW athletics, both personally and with financial support for various programs through The Evjue Foundation.

"He was, of course, a great Badger," Richter said.

The University of Wisconsin was always special to him. Not only had he played varsity basketball, he went on to coach the freshman basketball team while he went to Law School in 1934. The year before, he had been selected to chair the UW Homecoming festivities, then the highlight of the university's social calendar.

But the school's academics were key as far as he was concerned. Like Mr. Evjue, he was enamored with the "Wisconsin Idea," that the university's boundaries were the state's and that its faculty should take part in governmental and civic affairs to benefit all Wisconsinites.

Mr. Miller became an ardent supporter of the university and was instrumental in helping it with substantial annual grants from The Evjue Foundation.

"Fred was just a wonderful citizen and a good friend of the university," said John Wiley, UW-Madison chancellor and a member of The Evjue Foundation board.

Among many examples of Mr. Miller's support of the university, Wiley said, was the establishment two years ago of the William T. Evjue Chair for the Wisconsin Idea, currently held by chemist Bassam Shakhashiri.

"He had a great life and he really influenced this town," said Andrew "Sandy" Wilcox, president of the University of Wisconsin Foundation, and another Evjue Foundation board member. "I've learned a lot from him about Madison and I consider him one of the first citizens of Madison."

Foundation builder:

The foundation, which derives its money from The Capital Times stock that William T. Evjue left in the charitable trust he established by his will, became Mr. Miller's pride and joy.

He worked overtime to make sure the foundation's assets were earning as much as possible so that more money could be contributed to the cultural, educational and civic causes directed by Mr. Evjue's will. Of the thousands of grants made by the foundation during Mr. Miller's tenure, the $3 million gift toward the construction of Monona Terrace was the one that gave him the most satisfaction.

The $3 million request came at a time when the foundation didn't have the assets it has today. But, Mr. Miller knew that nothing would have pleased the newspaper's founder more than the building of Monona Terrace, for which The Capital Times had campaigned for more than 50 years. He convinced the rest of the foundation board that it could make a $300,000 annual commitment for 10 years to give the project the jump-start it needed.

Several have credited that $3 million grant as the key in gaining both private and public support for the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed building on Lake Monona.

Mr. Miller was born in Milwaukee. His dad, Roy, moved the family to Madison two years later. Although he had only an eighth-grade education, Roy Miller used his mechanical skills to eventually become superintendent of maintenance for all state buildings in Madison.

When Fred and his twin brother, Frank, finished high school in 1930, they were encouraged to go to college despite the Depression and hard financial times. Fred graduated with a political science degree in 1934 and then got his law degree in 1936.

Shortly after he and Vi Bagley married in 1939, Mr. Miller built a home on Arbor Drive, a stone's throw from the western shore of Lake Wingra. Mrs. Miller died in 1992 and Mr. Miller sold the home in 2000 and moved to the new Attic Angels facility on the far west side, where he lived until his death.

He was a member of the State Bar Association of Wisconsin, the UW's Elvehjem Art Museum Council, the University Club, Bascom Hill Society, the UW Foundation and the Madison Club.

His survivors include a niece, Nancy Gage, also a board member of The Capital Times Co. and a trustee of the Evjue Charitable Trust, and her husband, Allan Finney. A son and daughter of his late twin brother, Frank Miller, also survive him. They are Donald F. Miller of Mount Horeb and Marcia Miller Rigney of Apache Junction, Ariz.

Also surviving are his close friends Dr. Gordon and Marjorie Davenport, Dick and Jean McKenzie, Dick and Janet Murphy, Oscar and Gerry Mayer and Sally Jamieson, all of Madison.

There will be a private burial service. The Cress Funeral Home, 3610 Speedway Road, is in charge of arrangements.


Originally published as a news story on the front page of The Capital Times oon December 16, 2003.