Loschel Pierringer, age 94, of the town of Port Washington, WI, peacefully passed away with his family at his side on Saturday, May 23, 2020 at his home.
He was born on November 14, 1925 in Port Washington; son of Leo and Rosalie “Sally” Rodesch Pierringer. Loschel grew up on Cleveland Street, attending St. Mary’s Grade School and Port Washington High School. He served in the United States Navy from 1943 to 1946 achieving the rank of Ensign Radioman Second Class. He would remain in the Naval Reserves through 1961.
Upon his return home, Loschel entered State Teachers College in LaCrosse. He married Ruth G. Hansen on September 3, 1949 at St. Mary’s Church in Port Washington. In 1951 he attained a bachelors degree in Electrical Engineering from Marquette University in Milwaukee.
His work experience included Harnischfeger Manufacturing and Prohaska Electric. In 1957, Loschel was seriously burned in an explosion while on the job. His case resulted in a Wisconsin State Statute called the “Pierringer Release” Our dad chronicled his recovery in a journal he titled “A year of pain and suffering”. After his recovery, he began his career as a teacher at MATC, teaching future electricians. He was a master electrician by trade but always a teacher at heart. He retired in 1987.
To say that our dad was active is an understatement. He not only did ordinary things like walking, biking and swimming, he played and taught tennis at Port Washington High School and the Port Washington Recreation Center. He traveled to Colorado for downhill skiing, took up rollerblading and long track speed skating, spending hours on the Interurban Trail and on the ice at the Pettit Center. The amazing part is that he started most of this after he retired in his 60’s. He participated in the International Senior Olympics – 70-74 age group, taking two first place medals and two second place medals. In 2001, at age 76, dad bladed in the North Shore Inline Marathon World Cup in Minnesota completing the 26 mile course. At age 80, he laced up his speed skates and took a lap around the oval at the Pettit Center for the last time. He was always up for an adventure! He went on a Harley road trip to Myrtle Beach with his son, Chris, rafting with son Brian’s family, skiing with any family member that wanted to join him, trips to Great America, where he rode all the rides and a few trips to Las Vegas where he did more walking and looking than gambling.
Our dad lived a life of service to others. He enjoyed doing projects to help not only every family member but many friends and strangers. He always said that if he could read a book or watch a tradesman work, he could figure out how to do anything he put his mind to. He was very involved in his church, St. Peter of Alcantara, now St. John XXIII Parish in Port Washington. He was a member of the Men’s Club and the Holy Name Society, the resident electrician and annual Fish Day fryer. He worked as an electrician on Habitat for Humanity homes in Wisconsin and Arizona. He was a hospice respite volunteer, supported St. Ben’s meal program in Milwaukee and tutored high school students in math. Dad touched many people in his lifetime.
On March 4, 1995, his wife Ruth passed away. After a few years vacationing in Sun City West with his good friend Marv Huiras, he became a snowbird. Eventually he would buy his own place. Now he could keep up his active life style all year round.
The high point of the year for the whole family was Thanksgiving. In a tradition started by his parents, everyone would come from all parts of the country to get together for this one day of the year. When the family outgrew any single house, we started going to a buffet at a local bowling alley. By combining food and entertainment, dad managed to entertain the sometimes 75 people that attended. It is something his great-grandchildren will always remember.
In his 80’s and 90’s, Loschel could be found most late afternoons at his favorite restaurant, Newport Shores, for dinner and his Brandy Manhattan. Everyone looked after him there, especially his favorite rollerblading buddy and hostess, Mindy Weinrich. For him, it was like going to the bar in “Cheers”, where everyone knew his name.
Dad had such a full life! He could accomplish more in a day than most people did in a week. We, as family, thought he’d never slow down but he did. He stopped driving at age 93, even though his license was good for seven more years. He never complained and always seemed content with his life, filling his time with jigsaw puzzles, Sudoku, word search puzzles, reading and watching his DVD’s. He took pride in the fact that he could still walk without a cane, do most things for himself and climb up and down the fifteen stairs in his son Dan’s home where he lived. He did that several times a day, especially when he needed some chocolate ice cream. His was a long life, truly well lived. We were blessed.
He is survived by his children Mary (Dale) Rybacki of Grafton, Tom (Cindy) Pierringer of West Bend, Judy (Steve) Cole of Temple Terrace, FL, Dave (Katey) Pierringer, Jane (Brian) Love, Dan (Lisa Glander) Pierringer, all of Port Washington, Dawn (Kim) Brophy of McHenry, IL, Chris (JoAnn) Pierringer and Brian (Kim) Pierringer, both of Port Washington. He is further survived by 33 grandchildren, 57 great-grandchildren, his brother Jim Pierringer of Eden, sisters-in-law Esther (the late William) Bley and Doris (Ray) Tiegs, brother-in-law Paul (Joan) Hansen, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Loschel is preceded in death by his wife Ruth, his son Joel, grandson Grant Harms, his sister Carol “Mitzie” and her husband Art Butzen, sister-in-law Mary Jane and her husband Bob Janzer and brothers-in-law James and Tom Hansen.
Family services with military honors have taken place. A public celebration of Loschel’s life will take place in the future. Interment at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Port Washington.
Memorials to St. John XXIII Parish, Port Washington (www.stjohn23rd.org) appreciated.
Losch was the best-a great teacher and a great man He was in my group of teachers at Matc–George Krall former associate dean at MATC
Sympathy to the Pierringer Family. Fond memories of your Dad growing up. Memories walking with Joel to High School and seeing your Dad. Always smiling and saying hello. Another great one has earned his wings for a life well-lived.
Blessings
What a very smart, smart man. I had the privilege of being taught by him in 1981 at MATC. The life lessons and the electrical info I learned from this man have truly shaped me into who I am.The most important lesson I’ve learned was: Today, do the best job you possibly can, and if you don’t, the next time you get minute to yourself (probably when you’re sitting on the shitter) you better think about what you’re doing wrong in your life, and change it. What a smart, smart man. I love smart people. See you again. Love, Bryan Preuss
My friend Mary Rybacki would be so excited when she talked about her farther. She use to say I wish people could know what a great man my Dad is. I never had the opportunity of meeting Mr. Loschel but I was always amazed about the way Mary spoke of her Father. I wish I had a chance to have met him, but from what Mary told me he was truly a remarkable smart man, good Father, that lived a full and wonderful life. Mary loved her Father and I know he will be truly missed. May God continue to Bless the Pierringer Family.
Consuewella Hollins-Ham
Loschel was a kind, inspiring man. He and I share the same BD! He knew how to live and how to give. He was fun-loving and interesting to talk to. He was a close friend and classmate of both my Mom, Marion, and her husband, Marvin Huiras. Marv & Loschel were great men, great examples of how to live a life, and great friends to each other. I hope Marv and Loschel are together, looking down on all of us and their souls at peace.
Deepest sympathy to the entire family. I first met him as a yong lad when my family rented the upper apartment of a duplex he owned at the south end of Montgomery St.
I also remember many summer days playing in the gully behind their old home.
Even as a teenager,and later an adult, when we met he remembered who I was and would inquire about my parents and siblings. Such a wonderful attribute.
Finally, one of the last times I saw Loschel we talked a little about the legal case that created the release that now, and forever, bears his last name. I told him the story of how, when I was in law school, I felt compelled to discreetly advise my torts professor that he mispronouncing the name. I explained to him that I knew the family and how the last name is pronounced and it definitely is not Pair-en-ger. To which the professor replied that ,in law, it didn’t much matter and it will forever be Pair-en-ger. I told Loschel that the professor was right because I have never run into another lawyer or judge that pronounces it correctly. He thought it was hilarious!
Rest in peace Loschel. 🙏🙏😇
My deepest condolences to the entire Pierringer family. Loschel was a mentor to me in both life and on the tennis court. His kind and caring disposition made a permanent impression on me when I was a teenage kid and his very able tennis game provided competitive foil to me many times as I progressed up the learning curve as a young competitor on the PWHS tennis courts. Later in life I very much enjoyed seeing him at Newport Shores and will honor him on my next visit with a brandy manhattan. RIP dear Loschel
I AM SO SORRY TO READ THIS .. MY DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO THE FAMILY. MY MOTHER ANN MAY WAS A SISTER TO LEO,
What a fine gentleman he was. He lived a full and wonderful life despite all. You know how fortunate you were to have Loschel as your Dad.
Eternal rest grant unto him Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him.
I had the privilege of getting to know Mr. Pierringer when he volunteered during the restoration of the Port Washington Light Station. A wonderful man that obviously cared deeply about his family, his community and his country.
My condolences to his family.
I have very fond memories of Loschel teaching my daughter Katy and I how to play tennis – such a kind hearted man. He will be missed my many. Our deepest sympathies to the entire Pierringer family
He was one of the kindest humans I’ve ever known. I am grateful for the Christian teaching he gave my 8th grade year. I will always remember him as an incredible example of what a real Christian is. His son Joel and him were two of the funniest people. My prayers to his wonderful family.
Su Penkwitz Carnes
He was our neighbor growing up, I remember going to his wedding at st. Mary’s in Port. They were great neighbors and people.
It sounds like your father lived a full and wonderful life. That put a smile on my face & I know you all must be proud of all the things he accomplished. Personally I only know Dave & Katey, my sisters, our friends and I played softball for the PE ladies team. We were just reminessing about the fun we had. Sorry for your loss. Squeek
Loschel was truly a gentleman and a person I admired. He was always interested in how my daughter, Kaitlyn Verfuerth was in her travels around the world with wheelchair tennis. I’d often see him at the courts.
My mother, Helen Allen was in the same class from St Mary’s and PWHS as Loshel,
and they were friends.
Always friendly and always upbeat.
Every attorney knows his name via the “Pierringer Release”. If only they knew what an interesting man he was. My condolences.
Jane Love and family sorry for your loss Glenn Murphy
I had Loschel as a teacher at M.A.T.C. He was a great teacher and a great person!! Rest In Peace.
Prayers to the entire Pierringer family–
My deepest sympathies to the entire family and his so many friends. He was such a great fun guy that loved everyone. He certainly will be missed.