Frederick Wegener

VERONA - After a long and happy life, Frederick Freeman Wegener passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones on Sunday, March 29, 2015 at UW Hospital. He was 83.

Fritz was proud to hail from Chicago's south side, born on February 3, 1932 to the late E.J. (Skip) and Gladys Wegener of Evergreen Park. He left Chicago after high school, choosing to pursue a degree in architecture at the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana. Fritz put his education on hold to serve his country in Korea as a member of the U.S. Army military police. When he returned to campus he met his future wife Georgene Carey; they were married on June 30, 1957.

The couple began their life in Madison in 1958, when Fritz joined the architectural firm of Flad and Associates. His very first project, the bell tower at St. Bernard Catholic Church, still graces the Middleton community. It marked the beginning of his long and respected career designing, developing and managing building projects throughout Wisconsin.

Fritz became a public employee in the 1960's as a project manager with the State of Wisconsin Bureau of Facilities Management. Of the many building projects he led over the next four decades, these were among his personal favorites: the Karrmann Library on the UW-Platteville campus; the 1980's restoration of the Wisconsin State Capitol; Grainger Hall, home of the UW-Madison School of Business; and the iconic Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Monona Terrace in Madison. He was recognized as a trusted collaborative partner, a dedicated colleague and an encouraging mentor.

Retired since 1997, Fritz continued to bring an architect's eye to other creative activities. He was a volunteer docent at the University of Wisconsin's Chazen Museum of Art, where he shared his appreciation and knowledge of the vast permanent collection. He was a talented artist in his own right, taking great pleasure in seeing his paintings enjoyed by friends and family. When Fritz and Georgene became empty-nesters in 1988, they thoughtfully designed their current home as a constantly evolving testament to their teamwork. Every project, from positioning a garden path to updating a tile floor, was a shared labor of love.

Fritz found his happiness in the love of home and family, the pride of professional achievement and the joy of contributing beauty to the world. Even in his final days, Fritz radiated good nature and inspired affection from all who met him.

He is dearly missed by his devoted family: Georgene, his spouse of nearly 58 years; daughters Leslie Wegener (Scott Chiples) of Stoddard, WI; Inger Wegener of St. Paul, MN; and Carey Wegener of Madison; and grandchildren Caitlin Churchill and Ross Churchill. They are all extremely grateful to Fritz's care teams at UW Hospital for their kindness and compassion.

Fritz requested a private burial. Friends are invited to join his family for a reception celebrating Fritz's life, to be held on Sunday, June 28, from 3:30 - 5:30 p.m. at the Paoli Schoolhouse Caf�, 6857 Paoli Rd, Paoli, WI.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials in Fritz's name be directed to either of the following: The 108 Club at the Verona Senior Center, 108 Paoli Street, Verona WI 53593; or the non-profit endowment fund for Monona Terrace (Monona Terrace Community Programs, Inc.), One John Nolen Drive, Madison WI 53703.

Cress Funeral Service
3610 Speedway Road, Madison
(608) 238-3434