Former South Milwaukee teacher and Rawson and Blakewood principal Erv “Mick” Nowak passed away this week.
Here is his obituary, and the online tributes show the impact this man had.
From the obituary:
His career in education spanned 34 years in South Milwaukee – as both a 6th grade teacher and math teacher at Parkway for seven years and then as principal of Rawson and Blakewood elementary schools. His philosophy was “do what’s best for the children.” Known to his students as “Mr. Kickball,” Erv was full-time pitcher and refereed the popular lunchtime recess games.
Erv was known for his flawless penmanship, likely the result of all the practice he received penning the thousands of hand-written notes he mailed to each and every student on their birthdays. He spent countless hours writing these notes on index cards, always with a reference to what made that child special and unique. He remembered former students and their families by name, even decades after they had been at one of his schools.
Please keep the Nowak family — and all who knew him — in your prayers. The visitation and funeral are Friday at St. Matthew’s in Oak Creek.
Did you know Mr. Nowak? Post your comments below.
South Milwaukee Blog 
Mr. Nowak was my Principle at Rawson from ’79-’85. I have many great memories from those years. A few that come to mind are that he was a huge fan of all the Wisconsin teams. I was an Orioles fan in the ’80’s, and I can remember all the playful ribbing he would give students anytime he would catch them wearing anything but a Brewers/Packers/Bucks jersey. The other one was when he pulled me out of class and wouldn’t tell me why. We went to a window that allowed access to the flat roof. He then told me to go out on the roof and collect all the kickballs that had accumulated up there. I spent the next half-hour up there walking around the roof, collecting the red balls, and bringing them to him at the window. I’m not sure if that was a punishment or a reward… the latter, I’m sure.
Erv Nowak was a great Educator and Principle because he engaged all of his students with compassion, understanding, and a wonderful sense of humor. He will always be my favorite, and he will be missed. My condolences to his family. His legacy, however, will live forever.
Thank you, Mr. Nowak.