Jerome F. Saeman

Jerome F. (Jerry) Saeman, age 92, passed away after a full life on Jan. 21, 2009, at home in Madison. He was born April 10, 1916, to Frank J. and Catherine (Karch) Saeman in Cross Plains. He married Veronica Stodola on June 25, 1949. While attending Pio Nono High School in Milwaukee he became ""hooked"" on chemistry, a subject which was central to his life-time career. While attending the University of Wisconsin he began his affiliation with the U.S. Forest Products Laboratory (FPL), first as a lab assistant, then continuing with doctoral studies and employment.   During World War II, with petroleum-based fuels in short supply, he worked on the production of ethanol from wood and later managed the process at an ethanol plant in Springfield, Ore. As the war was drawing to a close, he was assigned to an industrial intelligence team gathering information from German plants and labs of value to America and its allies. He brought back data and reports on a process that reduced stream pollution from pulp mills that was used for decades in Wisconsin. He rose to FPL deputy director with oversight of research activities. He was a consultant for the President's Advisory Panel on Timber and the Environment, and a member of the National Research Council Committee on the Renewable Resources for Industrial Materials. He chaired a National Science Foundation team generating educational modules for materials science and engineering. Jerry was elected a fellow of the International Academy of Wood Science (1972), received the Borden Chemical Award (1977), and the Gottschalk Award (1980). Upon retirement from FPL in 1980, he was employed as an adjunct professor of chemical engineering at the University of Wisconsin. There he worked in collaboration with industry and the university on wood-related problems, initiating work on improving the manufacture of composites involving wood fibers and plastics, and starting an ongoing series of international conferences on wood fiber composites. Jerry was a member of several professional organizations and the Rotary Club. He was involved with the Wisconsin/Nicaragua Partners, and helped initiate a micro-lending program in Nicaragua with the support of Rotary. Jerry's love of chemistry and research was matched by a zest for life. He enjoyed his many family roles and especially that of being a grandfather. He was an accomplished photographer and displayed his photographs at the UW Memorial Union. He had an appreciation of the outdoors and enjoyed spending time with his family and friends camping, hiking, sailing, canoeing, skiing, and skate-sailing. His competitive spirit came through on the golf course, and later through his love of a serious game of croquet. He drew sustenance, faith and strong friendships from his membership in the Queen of Peace Community church group. Jerry was preceded in death by his parents; and brothers, Frank and Bob.   He is survived by his wife, Veronica (Ronny); a son, Paul (Mary Wallace) of Madison; a daughter, Marian (John) Bleeke of St. Louis, Mo.; and a daughter, Anne of Madison; six grandchildren, Melody, Gabriel and Sandhya Saeman, and Caroline, Jeremy and Laura Bleeke; a sister, Ruth of Madison; and numerous brothers- and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews. Funeral arrangements are being made by Cress Funeral and Cremation Service. Visitation will be held on Friday, Jan. 23, 2009, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at OAKWOOD VILLAGE WEST, 6205 Mineral Point Road, Madison, in the HERITAGE OAKS BUILDING, WESTMORLAND AND NAKOMA ROOMS. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2009, in the RESURRECTION CHAPEL at OAKWOOD VILLAGE WEST, with Monsignor Charles Schluter officiating. Memorials may be sent to Friends of the Arboretum, 1207 Seminole Highway, Madison, WI 53711, or Wisconsin/Nicaragua Partners of the Americas, Inc., Room 129, Nelson Hall, UWSP, Stevens Point WI 54481, or to a charity of your choice. Cress Funeral & Cremation Service 3610 Speedway Road (608) 238-3434 www.cressfuneralservice.com