Warren R. Von Ehren

Warren R. Von Ehren, age 89,   passed away suddenly on Friday, December 17th at General Mitchell Airport in Milwaukee.   He thoroughly enjoyed travel and died doing what he loved best.   Warren was leaving to spend the holidays with his daughter and son-in-law in Naples, FL.   He was born on March 13, 1921, the son of Ernest and Nancy (Ramelow) Von Ehren in Chicago, IL.   He earned a BS degree from Northwestern University in 1942 and joined the US Army which would eventually lead him to a career in hospital administration.   Warren was selected to attend Officer Candidate School at Camp Barkley, and graduated from OCS in June 1943.   He was commissioned as second lieutenant and assigned to the 98th General Hospital in Fort Jackson, SC.   During WWII, he spent 22 months in England, France, and Germany.   While serving his country, Warren met his future wife, Mary Lemon, and army nurse stationed in England.   Warren and Mary celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in 2006. One of the highlights of his military career occurred at the beginning of June 1944 when he and other leaders of the 98th General Hospital met with General Dwight Eisenhower in England.   They were informed a significant secret military operation would occur shortly and their hospital would receive the early casualties.   The operation turned out to be D-Day on June 6, 1944.   His army introduction to hospitals and healthcare changed the direction of his planned professional life from the desire to pursue a PhD and academic teaching career to hospital administration.   Warren's first position after discharge and returning to the US was with the Veterans Administration Hospital in Hines, IL.   He left the VA and taught biology for one semester.   Realizing his real calling was hospital administration, Warren enrolled in the masters program at Northwestern.   While in graduate school, he was employed by the American Hospital Association in Chicago.   His  career path took him to Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo, MI, the American Medical Association Council   on Medical Education and Hospitals in Chicago, Bellin Memorial Hospital in Green Bay, WI and finally becoming the President of the Wisconsin Hospital Association (WHA) for 26 years where he served as President Emeritus after retirement.   Warren continued after retiring from the WHA as an adjunct professor at the University of Wisconsin filling various roles utilizing his professional skills.   Warren is survived by his daughter, Penny (Mike) Isermann, of Naples, FL, and a grandson, Samuel Von Ehren, of Boston, MA.   He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Mary, and his son Daniel.   A memorial service  celebrating Warren's life will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, February 21, 2011 in RESURRECTION CHAPEL at OAKWOOD VILLAGE WEST,   6205  Mineral Point Rd., Madison, WI   53705.   In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions may be made to the Warren R. and Mary L. Von Ehren Memorial Scholarship,   c/o Bellin College of Nursing, 3201 Eaton Road, Green Bay, WI   54311 or www.bellincollege.edu.  

""I believe I have fought a good fight through my life.....I have enjoyed what I've done.   I've set things out for myself, and I have kept the faith.""   Warren R. Von Ehren.