Ronald Lawrence Giese

Ronald Lawrence Giese, age 75, died on Sun. Oct. 18, 2009 at his home.   Ron was born on   June 28, 1934 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, son of the late Lawrence F. C. and Maybelle (Windau) Giese. Ron was the youngest brother of four children, Lynn E. Giese, Gordon L. Giese, and Curtiss W. Giese (all deceased).     Ronald is survived by his wife, Maureen (Wolfgram) Giese, and two sons, Ronald L. (Karla K.) Giese, Jr. of Albuquerque, New Mexico and Gregory C. Giese, of Madison;   three grandchildren, Danielle (Giese) Plomaritas of Lynchburg, Virginia, Benjamin Giese of Lynchburg, Virginia and Jared Giese of New Mexico.   Ron graduated from Wisconsin State College-Milwaukee; earned a M.S. and Ph.D. degree at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In 1961 he was a professor of forest entomology and environmental science at Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana. In 1976 he accepted a position as the Chairman of the Forest Science and Ecology Department at the University of Wisconsin - Madison, until retirement in 1998.   After retirement Ron was very active in researching and writing historical books of Thomas Jefferson's agricultural pursuits in tobacco and agriculture at Poplar Forest in Lynchburg, Virginia.   Ron and Maureen spent part of six years in Lynchburg, Virginia volunteering at Poplar Forest, Jefferson's retreat home.     Back in Wisconsin, Ron wrote award winning books on family genealogy.   In addition he volunteered at the State of Wisconsin Historical Society and also at the Waterloo Area Historical Society. He and Maureen were active officers of Waterloo's Historical Society.   He was an active writer of Waterloo's history with articles in the local newspaper once a month, also Ron was the newsletter editor and researcher for the Society. He will be missed for his thorough research for many people seeking information of their heritage.   There will be a Memorial Gathering for Ron on Wed., Oct. 21, 2009 from 1:00 p. m. until 3:00 p. m. at CRESS FUNERAL SERVICE, 6021 University Ave. Madison. A private graveside ceremony will be held at Alma, Wisconsin, for family members at a later date.   Memorials may be given to the Waterloo Area Historical Society, or the Department of Forest Ecology and Management Fund, University of Wisconsin-Madison Foundation, Madison, Wisconsin.