South Milwaukee has lost several iconic figures in recent weeks, and I offer my thoughts and prayers to their families, friends and and communities in which they serve. Each leaves his own legacy.
Al Bassett
I regularly tell my kids that if you remember any lesson in life, remember this one: Help people. In other words, be like Al Bassett.
“We serve.” Al lived the Lions slogan like no one else, always looking for ways to make a difference in his community and world.
His death is South Milwaukee’s loss. From his obituary:
Al will be greatly missed by many. Best known for his smile, he was a playful rascal who was very lucky. He believed you should ‘Eat your desert first.’ Al’s greatest achievement was his incredible friends and family.
Al lived life large. Al was a happy, incredibly energetic, intelligent guy who LOVED people. He loved car racing, sailing, golfing, gambling and having fun. He was a prolific volunteer. Al was dedicated to the Lions Club and its charities. He mentored high school students, volunteered for the Kidney Foundation, Juvenile Diabetes, and more charitable groups than we could list.
Ed Mueller
My favorite memories of Ed were at Trinity Lutheran Church, when he would regularly stop me after services to chat about the issue of the day — often related to the Oak Creek Watershed.
And I listened. His remarks were always thoughtful, well-meaning and positive in spirit — much like this special man whose impact on the city went well beyond his time in the classroom.
From his obituary:
In 1965, Ed began teaching Biology at South Milwaukee Senior High School, where he also taught German. He coached the Girl’s Swim Team from 1978-1980. He enjoyed teaching all levels of Biology at the High School, including Special Education classes, until his retirement in 1990. Ed was impressed by so many of his students who worked very hard in his classroom. …
After retirement from teaching, Ed started a business focused around nature photography, called appropriately “Mueller Nature Pictures”. He maintained a storefront in South Milwaukee from 1990-2001. … Edward was an active church member his entire life. He held nearly every office at Cross of Christ Lutheran Church in Cudahy, Wisconsin from 1967 until it closed in 1991. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in South Milwaukee from 1992 until his death. …
Ed was always very invested making suggestions to improve our society, and was a prolific writer of letters to all levels of local government officials, including Governors, State Senators and Representatives, and leaders of the Wisconsin DNR and DOT.
Richard Stefanik
I never got to know Dick, and from what I read in obituary, I regret that.
From that obituary:
Dick had a long and successful teaching career, notably at South Milwaukee Junior High School (later South Milwaukee Middle School), where he taught History, Social Studies and other subjects as needed. …
Dick’s passion for history was evident in his involvement in local historical groups. He was an active member of Historic Milwaukee, Inc for many years, giving talks and tours, and writing articles for HMI’s publication, Echo. He was also involved in the Milwaukee County Historical Preservation Commission meetings and the Zoning, Neighborhoods, and Development Committee hearings. His research informed efforts to preserve historic buildings, and he nominated a number of buildings for local historic designation over the years.
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