Lewis Sheerar

Lewis Lincoln Sheerar died peacefully in his apartment at Wellington Place-Rib Mountain early Tuesday morning 23 November 2010. He had been a resident at Wellington since April 2008. He was 94 years old.

Lewis was born in Mercy Hospital, Oshkosh, Wisconsin on 12 February 1916 to Frank B. and Emily E Sheerar. He lived with his parents in Ormo, Wisconsin where he graduated with honors from Ormo High School in 1934. He went on to attend the University of Wisconsin, Engineering School in Madison from which he graduated magna cum laude in 1938 with a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Civil Engineering. He took a position as a civil engineer with the Tenant Engineering Company (later the General Engineering Co.) in Portage where he worked from 1938 through 1940 when he moved to Wausau and accepted a position with the Wisconsin Valley Improvement Company; where he worked until he retired in 1981 except while serving in the U.S. Navy during WW II.

Lewis married his high school sweetheart, Marie Hess, on 13 August 1940 in Ormo. When they moved to Wausau they first lived at 211 East Ross Avenue until June 1946. Their first son, Clark, a retired school teacher and administrator was born in March 1943 while they lived there. Clark now lives with his wife, Lynn, in Mondovi, Wisconsin. Lewis and Marie then purchased a home owned by G.W. Bannerman at 126 Eau Claire Blvd. in Wausau where they lived from June 1946 until Lewis moved into Wellington Place in April 2008. Their second son, Richard, was born in January 1948 when they lived there. Richard was an attorney and public defender in South Plain, MO and preceded his parents in death on 9 January 1992.

Lewis enlisted in the United States Navy immediately after Pearl Harbor in December 1941. He served in the 111st U.S. Naval Construction Battalion (Sea Bees) and rose in rank to Lieutenant, J.G. He commanded a Rhino Ferry at Omaha Beach, Normandy on D-Day 6 June 1944. He and his men ferried supplies and equipment to the troops until he was wounded in action and sent home to receive the Purple Heart and serve at the Charleston Navy Yard, Charleston, S.C. for the duration of WW II.

Lewis returned to Wausau and continued working at the Wisconsin Valley Improvement Company (WVIC) until his retirement in 1981. While he was there he rose to the position of asst. general manager, chief of river operations, and treasurer. His chief job was controlling the level and flow of the Wisconsin River to provide flood control and constant flow for power generation. Over the years he published two professional papers relating to the Wisconsin River.

Lewis was actively involved in Wausau, belonging to many groups including the Wisconsin Valley Radio Association (holding the call sign K9JPS and winning the 2004 Excellence in Amateur Radio Award), the Rib Mountain Repeater Association (affectionately known as the "Father of the RMRA" and the first Honorary Lifetime Member), Badger Weather Net, Marathon County Sheriff's Surveillance Patrol, the Rotary (serving as Program Chairman, Treasurer and Director over the years), Wausau Civic Music (in which he performed several times), and Golden K Kiwanis. He was also very active in the P.T.A., serving on committees and the participating in the P.T.A. Stunt Nites for 12 years, the local scouting program, and at First Presbyterian Church he was in the choir, served on the Board of Deacons, the Board of Trustees, Session and the Building Committee. He loved to play cribbage and even let his opponents win on occasion.

Lewis was preceded in death his son, Richard (1/9/1992), and his wife, Marie (3/17/2006). He is survived by his son, Clark, Clark's children (Dagna Solveig Sheerar (36) and Karl Konrad Sheerar (33)) both of Madison, Wisconsin as well as additional granddaughter (Richard's daughter), Amy Chase Sheerar (36) and husband, Mark and their two children, Skyler and Brooklyn; step-granddaughters, Jennifer Brassfeld Shepler and her son, Garrett Shepler, and Michelle Brassfeld Sobottka and her son, Noah Sobottka.

In lieu of flowers, gifts and memorials may be given to the First Presbyterian Church of Wausau, 407 Grant Street, Wausau, Wisconsin 54403.

A memorial service will be held at the First Presbyterian Church, Wausua, Wisconsin at 2:00 PM on Friday, 10 December 2010 in the Chapel. Reverend Joy Nelson-Jeffers will officiate. A reception will follow. You may sign our family guestbook at www.helke.com.

The family would like to express their profound gratitude to the staff at Wellington Place and Aspirus Hospice for all the tender loving care and support given to Lew over the last couple of years.