Obituary: Don Waldorf - Class of 1951

MADISON - Don Waldorf, age 75, passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 1, 2008, surrounded by his family. He was born on May 15, 1933, in Madison, the son of Robert and Elizabeth (Reinke) Waldorf. He graduated from Central High School in 1951. Don began working for the City of Madison Engineering Department, retiring as a general foreman in January of 1990. He also was a part time youth softball supervisor for Madison School Community Recreation. Don loved softball. He organized many youth softball teams. Don played until a knee injury stopped his playing days, and then began coaching each of his children's teams and adult men and women softball teams. Don also loved taking pictures and combined his love of sports with his love of photography. He often attended high school sporting events to take pictures of many players, giving each of the players a copy of their photo. Many people knew Don as the "candy" or the "tootsie roll man." He always carried candy in his shirt pocket. Don was very loved by his family, according to one of his grandchildren, "I love you times 102." He is survived by his wife, Susanne; daughters, Elizabeth (David) Mitchell and Vicki (Martin) Limmex; son, Gregg Waldorf; grandchildren, Amy, Adriane, Zachary, Stephanie, Alex and Isaac; two great-grandchildren, Maven and Brandon; brother, Sid (Kathy) Waldorf; and many nieces, nephews, and other family members. Don was preceded in death by his parents; sister-in-law, Patricia; and nephew, James. Funeral services will be held at MESSIAH LUTHERAN CHURCH, 5202 Cottage Grove Road, Madison, on Thursday, June 5, 2008, at 11 a.m., with the Rev. Jeff Vanden Heuvel presiding. Burial will be at Forest Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be at the church on Thursday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service. Memorials may be made to Messiah Lutheran Church.Gunderson East Funeral and Cremation Centers 5203 Monona Drive (608) 221-5420

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on June 3, 2008