Obituary: Rodney Scheel

MADISON - Rodney Scheel, owner of Madison's popular Washington Hotel complex, died on July 12, 1990 of AIDS-related health problems. He was 39. He is survived by his partner of over 20 years, Dr. Warren Olson; and by his parents, Jo and Doc Scheel; his sister Sherry Nelson; his brother Greg Scheel; and three nephews, Shane and Shawn Doyle, and Tyler Nelson; and a niece, Rosanna Nelson.Rod also leaves scores of friends and business associates in Madison. He was a lifelong resident of Madison, and his dedication and commitment to Madison's central city will be missed. At the age of 21 in December in 1971, Rod opened his first business and managed it as though he had been born to the task. The City of Madison is indebted to Rodney for his foresight in the rebuilding and reintegration of the Hotel Washington at 636 West Washington Avenue. He was a trend-setter and a leader, and Madison has honored him and his "Hotel Family" with orchids, awards, and allegiance. Rod was a model citizen and his commitment to Madison provided countless others a model for themselves. Thank you, Rodney for your help, your courage, your encouragement, your leadership, your guts, your humor, your generosity, your love, and your friendship. Madison will not forget you and your accomplishments; and the young people in the business will always ask, "What would Rodney think?" That is a fair standard by which to judge the life of almost any person. A private memorial service will be held on Sunday, July 15. Rodney's friends are invited to attend a public memorial service at 10:30 a.m. at LUTHER MEMORIAL CHURCH, 1021 University Avenue in Madison on Saturday, July 21. Contributions in Rodney's name may be made to the Rodney Scheel House for PWA's  [Person With AIDS] care of the Washington Hotel, 636 West Washington Avenue, Madison, WI 53703. GUNDERSON FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Monona, is handling the arrangements for the family.

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on July 15, 1990.

Rodney Scheel is a Madison Central High School alumnus because he attended CHS for several years prior to transferring to East because Central closed in 1969. He graduated from East in 1970, but identified himself as a Central alumnus in a February 14, 1977 Wisconsin State Journal article about his success in restoring the Washington Hotel to its "original splendor." 

For more information about Rodney Scheel as a "gay icon," please visit the History of Gay and Lesbian Life in Wisconsin page dedicated to his life and work.

Obituary: Rodney Scheel

Restaurateur Scheel Succumbs

A Madison nightclub and restaurant operator died Thursday of AIDS complications.

Rodney Scheel, 39, owned and operated a number of clubs and a restaurant in the former Hotel Washington at 636 W. Washington Ave. Mr. Scheel purchased the building in 1975 and over the years renovated much of the hotel, which was popular with railroad passengers at the turn of the century.

The hotel is the home of Club de Wash, Rod's, Cafe Palms and Barber's Closet, with the clubs and restaurants retaining much of the period design.

Mr. Scheel was a lifelong Madison resident. He graduated from Central High School.

Originally published in The Capital Times as a news story on July 14, 1990

Note: Rodney Scheel attended Central High School; however, a June 4, 1970 article in The Capital Times lists his name among the students graduating from Madison East High School.

Obituary: Abraham Quisling - Class of 1924

Abraham Quisling, Clinic Founder, Dies

Abraham A. Quisling, member of a prominent Madison medical family and founder of the Quisling Clinic, died Wednesday at the Oakwood Lutheran Home. He was 84.

He received his medical degree from the University of Wisconsin,specializing in internal medicine, then joined his father, Andreas Quisling,in practice at the family home in Madison. Along with an older brother, Sverre, he founded the Quisling Clinic in 1932, and they were later joined in practice by brothers Rolf Quisling and Gunnar Quisling.

Dr. Abraham Quisling was active in many medical associations and local organizations, serving as president of the Chamber of Commerce and the Maple Bluff Country Club and on the YMCA board.

He is survived by a son, Arthur Quisling of Jefferson City, Mo., a daughter, Dagny Mary Myrah of Madison, and brothers Rolf Quisling and Sverre Quisling of Madison.

Funeral services are set Saturday at 1:30 p.m. at Bethel Lutheran Church,312 Wisconsin Ave.

Originally published in The Capital Times as a news story on April 26, 1990


Quisling Clinic Founder Dies

Abraham A. Quisling of Madison, a physician who was a founder of the Quisling Clinic and served as president of the local Chamber of Commerce, died Wednesday at the Oakwood Lutheran Home. He was 84.

His father, Andreas, who came to Madison from Norway in 1900 and switched from law to medicine, died when Abraham was 5, but Quisling saw him practice medicine out of the family home enough to plant the seeds of his life's work.He also monitored the progress of his older brother, Sverre, through medical school. Sverre would join him in 1932 to establish the clinic that bears the family name.

A great uncle, a grandfather and an uncle were also physicians.

Abraham Quisling earned a bachelor's degree and a medical degree at the University of Wisconsin, with a specialty in internal medicine.

He is survived by a son, Arthur Andreas of Jefferson City, Mo., and a daughter, Dagny Mary Myrah of Madison; brothers Rolf and Sverre, both of Madison; and five grandchildren.

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal as a news story on April 26, 1990

Obituary: Forest Case Middleton - Class of 1911

SHOREWOOD HILLS - Forest Case Middleton, age 98, of 3400 Tallyho Lane, Shorewood Hills, died on Monday, March 26, 1990 at the Methodist Health Center in Madison. He was born on February 18, 1892 in Madison to William E. and Clara (Case) Middleton. He was a 1917 graduate of the University of Wisconsin. He married Leonore B. Judkins in 1917. During World War I, he served in the US Navy. Most of his working life, he was a court reporter for the Wisconsin Industrial Commission. He also taught English in Japan from 1920 to 1923 and assisted his wife in the operation of the Mouse Around Gift Shop in Madison in the 20's and 30's and the Oriental Specialties Shop in the early 60's. His wife preceded him in death in 1969. Survivors include cousins Ralph Middleton of Rockford, Illinois, Esther Jane McLeod of Madison and John Middleton of Southfield, Michigan. A private committal service will be held at YORK CEMETERY, Marshall, Wisconsin.

Cress Funeral Home
3610 Speedway Road

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on March 27, 1990

Notes: Forest Middleton's class year is based on information in the 1911 Tychoberahn.

In November 1920, The Wisconsin Alumni Magazine (Volume 22, Number 1) reported: "FOREST MIDDLETON, during past year instructor in English at the University, has been elected to the staff of the Imperial Japanese English School at Tokyo, the appointment becoming effective on September 1. Mr. and Mrs. Middleton expect to remain in the Orient for two years, from where they will go to Europe to continue their studies before returning to America."