John Delamater

MADISON- John Delos DeLamater, age 77, of Madison passed away on Wednesday, December 13th, 2017 at home. He was born on October 12th, 1940 in San Diego, CA, the son of Clarence Delos DeLamater and Ethel Anna Hunter. He married Janet Hyde on May 22nd, 1993 in Madison. John received his PhD in Sociology from the University of Michigan in 1969, before moving to Madison, where he taught at the University of Wisconsin-Madison for 48 years as a professor, becoming the Conway-Bascom Professor Emeritus in the Department of Sociology. He dedicated his life to science, focusing on research about sexuality and effecting change in this area. He was elected a Fellow of the Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality, won distinguished service and teaching awards, and was awarded the Alfred E. Kinsey Award for Distinguished Contributions to the field of sex research. A former Editor of the Journal of Sex Research, he authored a plethora of textbooks and articles. He was a teacher, mentor, and advisor to thousands of students, family, and friends. His passion for trains was lifelong: he spearheaded Madison Streetcar Inc., and was a member of several railroad museums. Most recently he spent most of his free time working on and operating the streetcars he donated to the City of Kenosha and the Kenosha Streetcar Society.

John is survived by his wife Janet; his children Peter, Elizabeth DeLamater (Bill Sallak), Margaret Hillman (Paul Hilman), Laura DeLamater (Willy Grawe), Luke Hyde (Kelley Kidwell); and his grandchildren Noah, Nick, Katie, Boyd, and Grace. He is also survived by Peter, Elizabeth, and Laura's mother, Ann Rifenberg, and many current and former students all of whom he was so proud of.

Funeral services will be held at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 1833 Regent Street at 10 am, followed by a luncheon memorial. Burial will be at Forest Hill cemetery at 1:30 pm. "This too shall pass" -JDD.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to St. Andrew's Episcopal Church or the Kenosha Streetcar Society.


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Cress Funeral and Cremation Service
3610 Speedway Rd, Madison
608-238-3434