Obituary: Charles A. Johnson - Class of 1950

MADISON - A memorial service will be held at the MADISON ELKS LODGE, 711 Jenifer St. on Wednesday, July 28, 2010, at 10:30 a.m. for Charles A. Johnson, 77, formerly of Madison who passed away in Florida in March 2010.

He retired from the State of Wisconsin Dept. of Administration Purchasing unit in 1990. Charlie played guitar in several bands in the Madison area for many years and was a lifetime member of the Madison Elks Lodge.

He is survived by his wife, Beverly; two nieces; and two nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Frederick and Jennie Johnson; a brother, Bob Johnson; and a daughter, Diane.

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on July 25, 2010 (submitted by Michael Vahldieck, Class of 1968)

Note: Charles A. Johnson's class year is based on information in the 1950 Tychoberahn where he is pictured among the graduating seniors.

Obituary: Norbert G. Schachte - Class of 1952

MADISON -Norbert G. Schachte, a lifelong Madison resident, passed away at home on Thursday, July 8, 2010, from complications related to a 30 year battle with Multiple Sclerosis.

Born in Madison on July 9, 1934, he was the second son of Norbert I. Schachte and Lillian M. (Kurt) Schachte. Norb attended St. James Grade School and Madison Central High School where he won six varsity letters playing football, basketball, and baseball. Upon graduating in 1952, he enrolled at the University of Wisconsin, earning three varsity baseball letters and playing varsity basketball for three semesters, before earning a bachelor's degree in economics in 1957. He also served eight years in the Naval Reserve, honorably discharged in 1962. Following college, Norb began his career as a life underwriter with Indianapolis Life, John Lyons Agency followed by many years with the Kenneth P. Urso Agency. He earned his Chartered Life Underwriter designation in 1966, and went on to serve as general agent with Northwestern National Life followed by many years with Lafayette Life. In 1986, he earned the Chartered Financial Consultant designation, and expanded his business in 1996 to include financial planning, serving as President of Diversified Insurance Associates. He served as the president of the Madison Association of Life Underwriters (1983-84) earning their Distinguished Service Award in 1992, was a Life Member of the Million Dollar Round Table, and served on the Lafayette Life President's Advisory Council before cutting back in 2002.

Norb was also very active in his faith, serving as a Eucharistic minister as well as volunteering his time at St. Thomas Aquinas for many years. He also remained very active long beyond his high school and college athletic years, playing baseball with Caves Buick, Mallatt's, Millers, and the Madison Lakers, basketball with Tipler Transfer and Corcoran's, and fastpitch softball with city semifinalist Equitable Life. His greatest contribution, though, was to kids and youth sports programs throughout the Madison area. While in college, he spent his summers umpiring kid's rec baseball around the city, and as his own family grew, spent countless hours organizing and coaching. Norb worked for many years as a WIAA football official, was a co-founder of the Madison Ice Mice program, organized and coached Little League baseball in Monona and Middleton, was a founding member and coach at the Monona Hockey Association, coached West Flyers Hockey, helped to organize and coach Middleton Youth Soccer teams in the formative years, and was a past president of the Badger Dolphins Dive Team. He was also an avid fisherman in the years before his illness and his family looked forward to the fishing vacations at Coach Dynie Mansfield's cottages up north every summer.

Norb is survived by the love of his life, his wife of 54 years, Charlotte (Coffey) Schachte; sons Dan (Kim) and Dave (Gina); daughters, Ann and Kay; as well as grandchildren, Danny, Ian, Lauren, Maddy, Sarah, Elizabeth, Matthew, Samuel, and David. He is also survived by a brother, John Schachte of Cinncinati, Ohio; and sisters, Mary Schachte and Geraldine (Ray) Denson, both of Madison; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Our family would like to express our sincerest gratitude to Dr. Charles Weber and his colleagues, the nurses and respiratory therapists at Meriter Hospital, and the staff at Meriter Home Health for the kind, compassionate care given to Norb over the last few years of his life.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. THOMAS AQUINAS CATHOLIC CHURCH, 602 Everglade Drive, Madison at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, July 13, 2010, with Monsignor Donn Heiar presiding. Visitation will be from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Monday, July 12, 2010, at GUNDERSON WEST FUNERAL HOME, 7435 University Ave., Middleton and also on Tuesday from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at the church.

Finally, the family would request in lieu of flowers, donations in Norb's memory to the Wisconsin Chapter of the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Gunderson West Funeral and Cremation Centers; 7435 University Ave.; (608) 831-6761

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on July 11, 2010 (submitted by Michael Vahldieck, Class of 1968)

Obituary: R. Bruce Orchard - Class of 1966

MADISON - R. Bruce Orchard, age 62, died on Tuesday, June 29, 2010, at the University of Wisconsin Hospital. He had suffered from leukemia for a year and a half. Bruce was a lifelong resident of Madison. He graduated from Central - University High School and the University of Wisconsin-Madison with bachelor's and master's degrees and advanced study in mathematics and computer science.

Bruce was employed at the Waisman Center for 15 years as a computer consultant, and then served as a senior consultant in computer information processing for the University of Wisconsin College of Engineering. On April 29, 2009, Bruce received a certificate of recognition on the occasion of receiving emeritus status following "a record of distinguished service" to the University.

Bruce was an active member of the University United Methodist Church throughout his life, where he served in many capacities.

During his life, Bruce's interests centered around the Madison lakes. This included swimming and sailing as a member of the Hoofers Club. Bruce was a longtime supporter of the University of Wisconsin Hockey Team. Bruce loved skating and he participated in pickup hockey games on Sunday evenings at the University of Wisconsin athletic shell. Bruce loved the outdoors and had always looked forward to his annual vacations at Pickerel Lake near St. Germain. Bruce also enjoyed time spent at the family farm near Muscoda which has been in the family since 1854. Most of all, Bruce cherished his family, he enjoyed interacting with even the youngest children.

Bruce is survived by his mother, Lorraine; sisters, Jean Van Pelt (Mark) of Duluth, Minn., Ann Orchard (Robert Keller) of Edina, Minn., as well as their children: John Van Pelt (fiancee, Cally Bartley) of Denver, Colo.; Stephen Van Pelt, Ithaca, N.Y.; Bryan Keller (Alice Moore) of Stamford, Conn., and their son, Jasper; Anne Keller Tanser (James) of Reigate, Surrey, United Kingdom.

Bruce was preceded in death by his father, Kenneth M. Orchard.

A memorial service will be held at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 3610 Speedway Road on Saturday, July 3, 2010, at 11 a.m. The Rev. Frank Gaylord will preside. A visitation will be held at the funeral home on Saturday from 10 a.m. until the time of services. A private family burial of cremains will be held at Forest Hill Cemetery.

The family expresses gratitude to Dr. Mark Juckett and the staff at Meriter and the University of Wisconsin Hospitals for their compassionate and competent care.

The family suggests memorials in Bruce's honor for the Carbone Comprehensive Cancer Center at 600 Highland Ave., Madison, WI 53705; the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society at 1311 Manaroneck Ave., White Plains, N.Y.; the University United Methodist Church at 1127 University Ave., Madison, WI 53715; or an organization of the donor's choice.

Cress Funeral and Cremation Service; 3610 Speedway Road;(608) 238-3434

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on July 1, 2010 (submitted by Michael Vahldieck, Class of 1968)

Obituary: Katherine M. (Grapsas) Hogan - Class of 1960

MADISON - Katherine M. Hogan, age 67, passed away on Tuesday June 29, 2010.

Kathy was born in Madison on Oct. 1, 1942, to Niki and Constantine Grapsas. A graduate from Central High School and Edgewood College, she taught elementary school primarily in the Madison area for more than 30 years. Kathy took 10 years off from her teaching career to raise her young children. As a Sunday school teacher, and choir, church board and Philoptochos participant, Kathy was a lifelong active member of Assumption Greek Orthodox Church.

Rooted in the Greek community, Kathy also embraced virtually everyone she met with her bright, warm smile. She enjoyed meeting friends for coffee or lunch and hosting holiday gathering. She was open to anyone who needed a friend and a great advisor and confidant. Always a giving person, Kathy was generous in her support of many charitable organizations. Kathy was an avid traveler, intent on learning about the world in which she lived.

She is survived by her daughter, Eleana; her son, Conn; and her brother, Nick (Cathy) Grapsas. She is further survived by her niece, Nika (Scott) Spevacek; nephew, Costa (Vanessa) Grapsas; and by many cousins and friends. She will also be greatly missed by her little dog, Smokey.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, July 1, 2010, from 5 p.m. - 7 p.m., with Trisagion Service at 6:30 p.m. at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 3610 Speedway Road, Madison. Funeral services will be held on Friday, July 2, 2010, at 10 a.m. at ASSUMPTION GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH, 11 N. Seventh St., Madison. Father Michael Vanderhoef will officiate.

The family deeply thanks the UW Cancer Center and Hospice for their exceptional care, support and guidance. Memorials may be made to Assumption Greek Orthodox Church or The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Cress Funeral and Cremation Service; 3610 Speedway Road; (608) 238-3434

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on July 1, 2010 (submitted by Michael Vahldieck, Class of 1968)

Note: Katherine Grapsas Hogan's class year is based on information in the 1960 Tychoberahn yearbook where she is pictured among the graduating seniors.