Gerald (Jerry) retired in January 1996 from the Bureau of Engineering after 33 years of employment. He graduated from the Platteville Engineering School with a B.S. in mining engineering in 1959 when the school was called the Wisconsin Institute of Technology.

Upon graduating and marrying Margaret, he took his first job in an underground copper mine in Arizona. After three years they returned to Wisconsin and he started with the WCD’s Bureau of Engineering in January 1963.

The Bureau of Engineering performed the design and construction management function for the WCD, which is now the DNR. Jerry worked on a variety of projects including water systems, sewer systems, toilet buildings, park entrance visitor stations, ranger stations, administrative facilities, recreational trail tunnel repairs, and bridge inspections.

Two unique projects were the pheasant facility at Poynette and the bat gates over entries to an underground mine just east of Horicon.

Madison Bike and Bowl Team riding the Badger Trail

In retirement, Jerry keeps active by inspecting bridges for DNR through a consultant, becoming a supervisor on the Iowa County Board and being on the Board for the Lower Wisconsin Riverway.

Enjoying the roads of Southwest Wisconsin

Jerry is an avid biker and loves to hunt and fish.

At river level . . .


. . . and up on the rim.

A favorite memory is a six day Grand Canyon raft trip down the Colorado River with his daughter, Sue. They put in at Lee's Ferry and walked out from Phantom Ranch to Grand Canyon Village

He is a past president of the Association of Retired Conservationists. Jerry and Margaret now reside near Arena, and have four married children and seven grandchildren.

Margaret and Jerry

In May of 2020 they will be celebrating their 61st wedding anniversary.