Paul Bertics

Paul J. Bertics, age 55, passed away unexpectedly at his home on Thursday, December 22, 2011. He was born November 6, 1956 in La Jolla, CA, the son of John and Pearl (Tarkowski) Bertics. Paul was a 1974 graduate of Carlsbad High School, Carlsbad, CA, and received his Magna cum laude B.S. with highest honors in Biochemistry from the University of California, Los Angeles in 1978, his Ph.D. in Physiological Chemistry in 1984 from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and his Postdoctoral training at the University of California, San Diego from 1984-86. Paul was united in marriage to Sandra Fritsch March 20, 1982. They have one daughter, his pride and joy, Vicky who is now doing postdoctoral training in oceanographic studies in Germany. Paul joined the UW faculty in 1986 and is currently the Robert Turell Professor of Physiology (endowed chair), Kellett Professor of Biomolecular Chemistry, a member of the Executive Committee of the UW Comprehensive Cancer Center, and a Co-Director in the Material Sciences Research Center in the UW School of Engineering. Paul was extremely dedicated to the students at the UW serving as chair of Medical School admissions for years, instructing over 3000 medical students, training over 55 graduate and postdoctoral students and mentoring countless undergraduates. He received numerous awards, including the Student-selected UW Medical School teaching award twice and the UW Distinguished Teaching Award - Chancellor's Teaching Award. Paul is an editor of the Journal of Immunology and the Chief Science Advisor of Platypus Technologies, Fitchburg. Paul has played the guitar since High School, and also has an interest in electronics, with his current hobby of restoring tube radios from the 1920's to the 50's. He enjoyed fishing, sports, nature and antiquing with his wife.
Paul is survived by his loving wife of 29 years, Sandra, his cherished daughter Victoria "Vicky", his sister, Sandra Dries, Santee, CA, sister-in-law, Sharon (Mike) Czysh, Waldo, WI, brother-in-law, Roger (Michelle) Fritsch, niece, Gloria Fritsch, nephew, Maxwell Fritsch, Liberty Township, OH, father-in-law, Erwin Fritsch, Sheboygan, WI, numerous friends, as well as the many students that he has taught and fellow faculty members of the University of Wisconsin. Paul was preceded in death by his parents, brother-in-law Steve Dries, mother-in-law Gloria Fritsch, and his grandmother Mary Tarkowski. A visitation will be held from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm on Wednesday, December 28, 2011 at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 3610 Speedway Rd, Madison, WI 53705. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday, December 29, 2011 at LUTHER MEMORIAL CHURCH, 1021 University Ave., Madison, WI 53715, with visitation from 10:00 am until the time of service at the church. A memorial fund has been established in Paul's name through the UW Foundation. Donations to the fund can be made by a check to: UW Foundation specifying that the donation should go to the Paul J. Bertics Memorial Fund. The address is UW Foundation, 1848 University Avenue, Madison, WI 53726.