In Memory of James Landwehr ’56
JAMES B. LANDWEHR ’56 of Glendale, Wisconsin, died May 8, 2021. At Ripon, he majored in English and participated in student government. He stayed active in several ways, including serving on class reunion committees and as Class Agent. He served in the Coast Guard and particularly enjoyed being stationed in Alaska. He worked for GM’s AC Spark Plug for the space program and First Wisconsin National Bank (now US Bank). He was involved in his children’s sports, coached boys’ and girls’ softball, and was a swim official for the swim clubs and high school swim teams. After retiring, he volunteered with the Wisconsin Marine Historical Society, researching and lecturing on the History of the Great Lakes. Survivors include his wife, CAROLYN CALLAHAN LANDWEHR ’55; two sons and two daughters.
Full obituary:
Found peace finally on May 8, 2021 at the age of 92 years. Preceded in death by his parents, Harold W. and Gladys, and sister Mary E. Berry. Beloved husband for almost 63 years of Carolyn (Callahan) and children, Catherine, Jenifer (Joe) Vollmer, Hans (Linda) and Karl.
Jim graduated from Whitefish Bay High School and Ripon College. He worked for GM’s AC Spark Plug for the space program and First Wisconsin National Bank (now US Bank). He loved his years being involved with his children’s sports. He especially enjoyed coaching, boys and girls softball, and being a swim official for the swim clubs and high school swim teams.
Jim joined the Coast Guard prior to college. He loved that period, especially when stationed in Alaska. In later years, on a cruise in the Alaska area, he and his wife had the experience of being on the receiving end of the Coast Guard services. After college and work years it was time to enjoy his passion for the Great Lakes. So the retirement years were spent volunteering with the Wisconsin Marine Historical Society researching and lecturing on the History of the Great Lakes. He also began writing his memoir, but Alzheimer’s got in the way so he didn’t finish. His daughter Jenny was able to pull his stories together and managed to get it published – “My Hitch”. Had he understood what she had done, he would have been greatly pleased.
The family will receive relatives and friends on Friday, May 14, 2021 at the Feerick Funeral Home, 2025 E. Capitol Dr., Shorewood from 4:00 PM until the time of the Memorial Service at 6:00 PM.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Alzheimer’s Society, the Wisconsin Humane Society or the Wisconsin Marine’s Historical Society.