In Memoriam: Spring/Summer 2022-23

We celebrate the lives of the following alumni and friends, whose deaths were recently shared with us. We are thankful for their friendship.

William Ardern II

William Ardern II passed away at his home in Mequon, Wisconsin on March 10, 2023. He attended Nicolet High School and graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in real estate and urban land economics before graduating from the John Marshall Law School in Chicago. From an early age, he demonstrated a flair for entrepreneurship, and in his twenties he launched his career by establishing Wisconsin Property Tax Consultants.

Bill married Victoria S. Klein on September 5, 1987 and was the father of Colin ’90 and Ethan ’92 Ardern. He was an incredibly devoted father and husband, and his persistent generosity, kindness, and positivity improved every community he joined.

Bill created USM’s Internship and Shadowing program in 2009, which provides summer opportunities for juniors and seniors, connecting students with seasoned professionals and helping them explore possible career interests. He was a tireless advocate for the program since its inception, helping countless students gain resumé and job interview skills as well as inroads into potential careers. USM is one of the only schools in the country that offers such opportunities to high school-aged students.

Most recently he launched the Career Lunch and Learn events in the Upper School, in which school parents discussed their careers with interested students and answered questions (see pg. 10 for more about this year’s events). He was recognized as an Outstanding Parent Volunteer in 2012 by USM’s Parents’ Association.

Earnest "Ernie" Ray, Jr.

Earnest “Ernie” Ray Jr. passed away unexpectedly on March 23. Ernie was a member of the Flik Independent School Dining team and was part of the USM community since 2002. He was known for his infectious smile that he would flash whenever he interacted with students, teachers, and staff, and he is greatly missed. He is survived by his mother, brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, and friends.

Thomas Merrill Read '75

Thomas Merrill Read ’75 died suddenly on October 15, 2022 of an undetected congenital heart defect. He was born on October 18, 1956, son to Verne Ross Read and Marion Chester Read MDS’37 in Milwaukee. He is survived by his adoring wife and best friend of 35 years, Lisa Read; his children, Andrew ’09, Alexander ’11, and Merrill ’15 Read; grandchild James Read; siblings Verne Ross Read III ’69, Alice Read ’72, and Alexander Read ’73; and many other loving family and friends.

Tom was a graduate of Gettysburg College and was a championship diver. In his professional life, he was a commercial airline pilot for American Airlines for 32 years and flew DC-10s to Europe and the Caribbean and DC-9 MD80s domestically. He was passionate about flying and loved to fly his pontoon plane, often surprising friends in the lake country. 

He loved University School of Milwaukee and he especially loved cheering on his three children in every one of their sporting events. He volunteered in many capacities at USM, including as director of the USM Alumni Association board, a cabinet member for the USM Annual Fund, a phonathon volunteer, and a class agent. His volunteer work impacted many other organizations, including the Young Eagles Organization, the Conservancy of Southwest Florida, and the Bat Conservation International, of which he served on the board for many years. 

Kathleen Friedman Dean

Kathleen Friedman Dean passed away peacefully on February 11, 2023, in Mequon, Wisconsin, at the age of 75. Kathy was hired as USM’s director of admissions and financial aid in 1988. She served in this role for 16 years and led the school through great development and growth. Under her leadership, the school’s financial aid program more than doubled in size and the diversity of the student body grew significantly. Kathy held a wide variety of volunteer roles at USM, including Parents’ Association president for 1992–93; a member of USM’s Board of Trustees, where she served on several committees; and USM Annual Fund co-chair for two years.

A loving and dedicated wife, mother, and grandmother; and an accomplished artist, education professional, and community volunteer, she cherished her family and friends above all else. Kathy is survived by her husband, Randolph Dean; by eight children, Scott Friedman ’90, Ryan Friedman ’94, Andrea Monosso ’97, Sean Friedman ’02, Emily Dean ’01, Lindsay Dean ’03, Drew Dean ’06, Austin Dean; and many additional loving family members and friends.

1940s

Claire P. Greene Phillips MDS’41, Milwaukee

Jean Lindemann Schmidt MDS’41, Milwaukee

Nancy Mueller Van Vechten MDS’46, Appleton, Wis.

Jerry Bischoff MCDS’48, North Andover, Mass.

Judith Gidley White MDS’48, Milwaukee

1950s

Lois Whiting Dickinson MDS’50, Lake Geneva, Wis.

Thomas H. Frentzel MCDS’52, Pewaukee, Wis.

Christopher Reehl MUS’52, Fountain Valley, Calif.

William C. Brumder MCDS’54, Naples, Fla.

Sigrid Dehn Walker MUS’54, Colorado Springs, Colo.

Susan Dixon Sawyer MDS’55, Santa Fe, N.M.

Cynthia Kahler Wagner MDS’55, Pittsboro, N.C.

Robert M. Walker MUS’55, Burlington, Wis.

Robert H. Buettner MCDS’56, Tucson, Ariz.

David O. Kieft MCDS’56, Saint Paul, Minn.

1960s

J. Peter Maier MCDS’60, Milwaukee

Helen “Stoney” Wilson MUS’61, Mequon, Wis.

Douglass H. Bartley ’65, Grafton, Wis.

Christina R. Langmuir ’66, Duxbury, Mass.

George W. Fifield ’69, Jamaica Plain, Mass.

1970s

David M. Tacke ’72, Brown Deer, Wis.

Gretchen H. Farmer ’73, Washington Depot, Conn.

William C. Frye ’74, Mequon, Wis.

1980s

Kara H. Salgado ’85, Oak Park, Ill.

Friends

James Ansfield, Mequon, Wis
Grandfather of Justin ’17 and Riley ’18 Strauss

Pedro Banda, Mequon, Wis.
Grandfather of Carlos ’21 and Adriana ’25 Banda

Barbara Davidson, Milwaukee
Wife of Gordon Davidson MCDS’45. Mother of Gigi ’72, Michael ’75, and Gabrielle ’78 Davidson

Anne Dunning, Fox Point, Wis.
Wife of Brad Dunning, assistant head of Middle School. Mother of Trevor ’25 and Henry ’27 Dunning

Nancy Geenen, Nashotah, Wis.
Grandmother of Thomas ’10, Michael ’12, and Madeline ’14 Joerres, and Emily Vertacnik ’07, Preschool outdoor education teacher. Great-grandmother to Teddy Vertacnik ’36

Jim Gramentine, Mequon, Wis.
Former Director of College Guidance from 1986 to 1994

Gerard Hughes, Parma, Ohio
Grandfather of Ronan ’23, Dermot ’25, and Colin ’27 More O’Ferrall

Philip J. Mazzulla, River Hills, Wis.
Brother of Francesca ’99, Emily ’01, and Alan ’03 Mazzulla

Susan Blake, Fox Point, Wis.
Mother of Chloe Ruppelt ’19

Gordon Owley, Sussex, Wis.
Father of Jessica Lippmann ’93

André Ptak, Menomonee Falls, Wis.
Father-in-law of Patti Ptak, 2nd grade teacher. Grandfather of Makenna and Alexander ’22 Ptak

Richard Strauss, Milwaukee
Grandfather of Justin ’17 and Riley ’18 Strauss

Ann Underwood, Sun City, Ariz.
Former assistant to College Guidance director from 1987 to 1993.

Natalie Winowich, Charleston, W.V.
Grandmother of Lola Mendeloff ’10.

Ranae Zautcke-Stavish, Oconomowoc, Wis.
Grandmother of William ’11, John ’16, and Elizabeth Ostermeyer