You were one of the best teachers South Milwaukee school district has ever seen, and truly one of my favorite teachers. Rest in peace, Mr. Grobschmidt.
An American educator and former Democratic politician from South Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He served five terms in the Wisconsin State Assembly (1985–1995) and parts of three terms in the Wisconsin State Senate (1995–2003), before resigning to take a position with the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.
He graduated from South Milwaukee High School in 1966; earned a B.S. from University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh in 1972, and a M.S. from University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee in 1979. He taught political science at South Milwaukee High before being elected to the Wisconsin Legislature.
He was elected to the state House in 1984, and re-elected for the next five terms for the 21st district, representing South Milwaukee and portions of Oak Creek. He was elected for the 7th district State Senate seat (representing several southeastern Milwaukee County suburbs, plus a fraction of eastern Milwaukee) in a November 1995 special election; and reelected in 1998 and 2002.
In December 2002, he announced that he would resign his seat in January 2003 to take a position as Assistant Superintendent of Public Instruction under State Superintendent Elizabeth Burmaster. He retired from that position on September 10, 2010.
*********
Richard Grobschmidt, a former Wisconsin state Assembly member and senator who was known for his understated and collaborative style, died Sunday after a battle with cancer. He was 68.
In his 18 years in the Assembly and Senate, Grobschmidt spearheaded legislation requiring all school buses in the state to have mechanical safety arms and establishing a school-to-work apprenticeship program.
The apprenticeship legislation came from his lifelong passion for education, which led him to his first job as a high school social studies teacher and his final job as assistant superintendent of public instruction.
Grobschmidt, a Democrat, also worked on legislation for family medical leave, insurance coverage for infertility treatment and parental consent for minors seeking abortions.
He believed in the power of compromise, said his daughter, Tamara Grobschmidt.
"He had a way of understanding that there were people who didn't have the same worldviews as he did," she said. "He just knew that it's important to listen to the voices of all people."
Jeff Plale, who was elected to Grobschmidt's Assembly and Senate seats after him and who was one of Grobschmidt's high school students, considered him a mentor.
"One of the things that he demonstrated to me early is that if you're willing to share the credit, you can get just about anything done in politics," Plale said, citing Grobschmidt's legislation to expand Interstate 794 and create open enrollment programs for public schools as examples of bipartisan partnerships.
"I learned a lot from that, and I tried to model my style of politics after that," Plale said.
Grobschmidt's ability to listen extended to all of his constituents, no matter the issue, Tamara Grobschmidt said.
He always left an impression.
"You can't go anywhere with my dad without him seeing someone he knows," his daughter said. "He'll see at least three people (he knows) in the grocery store (when he goes) to buy milk."
When she and her husband held their destination wedding in Costa Rica, her father and a few family members decided to take a hike in the rainforest.
It was them alone until four other hikers came by. One of them looked up and said, "Senator Grobschmidt?"
Richard Grobschmidt was born in Milwaukee and grew up in a political household — his father is a former mayor of South Milwaukee, Chester Grobschmidt — but he did not always plan on going into politics.
After attending University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh for a degree in secondary education in social studies, he spent 12 years as a high school social studies teacher at South Milwaukee High School, which he had attended.
"He was probably one of the best teachers that I ever taught with," said Richard Thinnes, a lifelong friend of Grobschmidt who taught across the hallway from him.
"Like they say in 'The Music Man,' 'You gotta know your territory.' And he knew his territory," Thinnes said.
He decided to run for the state Assembly in 1984, and took office the following year.
He retired from politics in January 2003 to become an assistant superintendent, a role in which he oversaw early childhood education, technology and libraries for the state.
He stayed in that position until 2010.
He was known in the Assembly and Senate as an effective workhorse who passed legislation without chasing headlines, Plale said. He was well respected by both Democrats and Republicans.
"I never heard anything negative coming out of that man's mouth," Thinnes said. "He just got along with everybody."
Grobschmidt is survived by his wife of 47 years, Barbara Grobschmidt; daughter, Tamara Grobschmidt (John E. German); father, the former South Milwaukee Mayor Chester W. Grobschmidt; and sister, Karen Southerlin (Bo Southerlin).
Visitation will be held from 8:30 a.m. until services at 11 Friday at Divine Mercy Parish Church at 800 Marquette Ave., South Milwaukee. Graveside service at Forest Hill Memorial Park will follow.
By Hannah Schwarz of the Journal Sentinel
Preceded in death by his step mother, Lorraine.
An American educator and former Democratic politician from South Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He served five terms in the Wisconsin State Assembly (1985–1995) and parts of three terms in the Wisconsin State Senate (1995–2003), before resigning to take a position with the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.
He graduated from South Milwaukee High School in 1966; earned a B.S. from University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh in 1972, and a M.S. from University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee in 1979. He taught political science at South Milwaukee High before being elected to the Wisconsin Legislature.
He was elected to the state House in 1984, and re-elected for the next five terms for the 21st district, representing South Milwaukee and portions of Oak Creek. He was elected for the 7th district State Senate seat (representing several southeastern Milwaukee County suburbs, plus a fraction of eastern Milwaukee) in a November 1995 special election; and reelected in 1998 and 2002.
In December 2002, he announced that he would resign his seat in January 2003 to take a position as Assistant Superintendent of Public Instruction under State Superintendent Elizabeth Burmaster. He retired from that position on September 10, 2010.
*********
Richard Grobschmidt, a former Wisconsin state Assembly member and senator who was known for his understated and collaborative style, died Sunday after a battle with cancer. He was 68.
In his 18 years in the Assembly and Senate, Grobschmidt spearheaded legislation requiring all school buses in the state to have mechanical safety arms and establishing a school-to-work apprenticeship program.
The apprenticeship legislation came from his lifelong passion for education, which led him to his first job as a high school social studies teacher and his final job as assistant superintendent of public instruction.
Grobschmidt, a Democrat, also worked on legislation for family medical leave, insurance coverage for infertility treatment and parental consent for minors seeking abortions.
He believed in the power of compromise, said his daughter, Tamara Grobschmidt.
"He had a way of understanding that there were people who didn't have the same worldviews as he did," she said. "He just knew that it's important to listen to the voices of all people."
Jeff Plale, who was elected to Grobschmidt's Assembly and Senate seats after him and who was one of Grobschmidt's high school students, considered him a mentor.
"One of the things that he demonstrated to me early is that if you're willing to share the credit, you can get just about anything done in politics," Plale said, citing Grobschmidt's legislation to expand Interstate 794 and create open enrollment programs for public schools as examples of bipartisan partnerships.
"I learned a lot from that, and I tried to model my style of politics after that," Plale said.
Grobschmidt's ability to listen extended to all of his constituents, no matter the issue, Tamara Grobschmidt said.
He always left an impression.
"You can't go anywhere with my dad without him seeing someone he knows," his daughter said. "He'll see at least three people (he knows) in the grocery store (when he goes) to buy milk."
When she and her husband held their destination wedding in Costa Rica, her father and a few family members decided to take a hike in the rainforest.
It was them alone until four other hikers came by. One of them looked up and said, "Senator Grobschmidt?"
Richard Grobschmidt was born in Milwaukee and grew up in a political household — his father is a former mayor of South Milwaukee, Chester Grobschmidt — but he did not always plan on going into politics.
After attending University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh for a degree in secondary education in social studies, he spent 12 years as a high school social studies teacher at South Milwaukee High School, which he had attended.
"He was probably one of the best teachers that I ever taught with," said Richard Thinnes, a lifelong friend of Grobschmidt who taught across the hallway from him.
"Like they say in 'The Music Man,' 'You gotta know your territory.' And he knew his territory," Thinnes said.
He decided to run for the state Assembly in 1984, and took office the following year.
He retired from politics in January 2003 to become an assistant superintendent, a role in which he oversaw early childhood education, technology and libraries for the state.
He stayed in that position until 2010.
He was known in the Assembly and Senate as an effective workhorse who passed legislation without chasing headlines, Plale said. He was well respected by both Democrats and Republicans.
"I never heard anything negative coming out of that man's mouth," Thinnes said. "He just got along with everybody."
Grobschmidt is survived by his wife of 47 years, Barbara Grobschmidt; daughter, Tamara Grobschmidt (John E. German); father, the former South Milwaukee Mayor Chester W. Grobschmidt; and sister, Karen Southerlin (Bo Southerlin).
Visitation will be held from 8:30 a.m. until services at 11 Friday at Divine Mercy Parish Church at 800 Marquette Ave., South Milwaukee. Graveside service at Forest Hill Memorial Park will follow.
By Hannah Schwarz of the Journal Sentinel
Preceded in death by his step mother, Lorraine.
You were one of the best teachers South Milwaukee school district has ever seen, and truly one of my favorite teachers. Rest in peace, Mr. Grobschmidt.
An American educator and former Democratic politician from South Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He served five terms in the Wisconsin State Assembly (1985–1995) and parts of three terms in the Wisconsin State Senate (1995–2003), before resigning to take a position with the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.
He graduated from South Milwaukee High School in 1966; earned a B.S. from University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh in 1972, and a M.S. from University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee in 1979. He taught political science at South Milwaukee High before being elected to the Wisconsin Legislature.
He was elected to the state House in 1984, and re-elected for the next five terms for the 21st district, representing South Milwaukee and portions of Oak Creek. He was elected for the 7th district State Senate seat (representing several southeastern Milwaukee County suburbs, plus a fraction of eastern Milwaukee) in a November 1995 special election; and reelected in 1998 and 2002.
In December 2002, he announced that he would resign his seat in January 2003 to take a position as Assistant Superintendent of Public Instruction under State Superintendent Elizabeth Burmaster. He retired from that position on September 10, 2010.
*********
Richard Grobschmidt, a former Wisconsin state Assembly member and senator who was known for his understated and collaborative style, died Sunday after a battle with cancer. He was 68.
In his 18 years in the Assembly and Senate, Grobschmidt spearheaded legislation requiring all school buses in the state to have mechanical safety arms and establishing a school-to-work apprenticeship program.
The apprenticeship legislation came from his lifelong passion for education, which led him to his first job as a high school social studies teacher and his final job as assistant superintendent of public instruction.
Grobschmidt, a Democrat, also worked on legislation for family medical leave, insurance coverage for infertility treatment and parental consent for minors seeking abortions.
He believed in the power of compromise, said his daughter, Tamara Grobschmidt.
"He had a way of understanding that there were people who didn't have the same worldviews as he did," she said. "He just knew that it's important to listen to the voices of all people."
Jeff Plale, who was elected to Grobschmidt's Assembly and Senate seats after him and who was one of Grobschmidt's high school students, considered him a mentor.
"One of the things that he demonstrated to me early is that if you're willing to share the credit, you can get just about anything done in politics," Plale said, citing Grobschmidt's legislation to expand Interstate 794 and create open enrollment programs for public schools as examples of bipartisan partnerships.
"I learned a lot from that, and I tried to model my style of politics after that," Plale said.
Grobschmidt's ability to listen extended to all of his constituents, no matter the issue, Tamara Grobschmidt said.
He always left an impression.
"You can't go anywhere with my dad without him seeing someone he knows," his daughter said. "He'll see at least three people (he knows) in the grocery store (when he goes) to buy milk."
When she and her husband held their destination wedding in Costa Rica, her father and a few family members decided to take a hike in the rainforest.
It was them alone until four other hikers came by. One of them looked up and said, "Senator Grobschmidt?"
Richard Grobschmidt was born in Milwaukee and grew up in a political household — his father is a former mayor of South Milwaukee, Chester Grobschmidt — but he did not always plan on going into politics.
After attending University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh for a degree in secondary education in social studies, he spent 12 years as a high school social studies teacher at South Milwaukee High School, which he had attended.
"He was probably one of the best teachers that I ever taught with," said Richard Thinnes, a lifelong friend of Grobschmidt who taught across the hallway from him.
"Like they say in 'The Music Man,' 'You gotta know your territory.' And he knew his territory," Thinnes said.
He decided to run for the state Assembly in 1984, and took office the following year.
He retired from politics in January 2003 to become an assistant superintendent, a role in which he oversaw early childhood education, technology and libraries for the state.
He stayed in that position until 2010.
He was known in the Assembly and Senate as an effective workhorse who passed legislation without chasing headlines, Plale said. He was well respected by both Democrats and Republicans.
"I never heard anything negative coming out of that man's mouth," Thinnes said. "He just got along with everybody."
Grobschmidt is survived by his wife of 47 years, Barbara Grobschmidt; daughter, Tamara Grobschmidt (John E. German); father, the former South Milwaukee Mayor Chester W. Grobschmidt; and sister, Karen Southerlin (Bo Southerlin).
Visitation will be held from 8:30 a.m. until services at 11 Friday at Divine Mercy Parish Church at 800 Marquette Ave., South Milwaukee. Graveside service at Forest Hill Memorial Park will follow.
By Hannah Schwarz of the Journal Sentinel
Preceded in death by his step mother, Lorraine.
An American educator and former Democratic politician from South Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He served five terms in the Wisconsin State Assembly (1985–1995) and parts of three terms in the Wisconsin State Senate (1995–2003), before resigning to take a position with the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.
He graduated from South Milwaukee High School in 1966; earned a B.S. from University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh in 1972, and a M.S. from University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee in 1979. He taught political science at South Milwaukee High before being elected to the Wisconsin Legislature.
He was elected to the state House in 1984, and re-elected for the next five terms for the 21st district, representing South Milwaukee and portions of Oak Creek. He was elected for the 7th district State Senate seat (representing several southeastern Milwaukee County suburbs, plus a fraction of eastern Milwaukee) in a November 1995 special election; and reelected in 1998 and 2002.
In December 2002, he announced that he would resign his seat in January 2003 to take a position as Assistant Superintendent of Public Instruction under State Superintendent Elizabeth Burmaster. He retired from that position on September 10, 2010.
*********
Richard Grobschmidt, a former Wisconsin state Assembly member and senator who was known for his understated and collaborative style, died Sunday after a battle with cancer. He was 68.
In his 18 years in the Assembly and Senate, Grobschmidt spearheaded legislation requiring all school buses in the state to have mechanical safety arms and establishing a school-to-work apprenticeship program.
The apprenticeship legislation came from his lifelong passion for education, which led him to his first job as a high school social studies teacher and his final job as assistant superintendent of public instruction.
Grobschmidt, a Democrat, also worked on legislation for family medical leave, insurance coverage for infertility treatment and parental consent for minors seeking abortions.
He believed in the power of compromise, said his daughter, Tamara Grobschmidt.
"He had a way of understanding that there were people who didn't have the same worldviews as he did," she said. "He just knew that it's important to listen to the voices of all people."
Jeff Plale, who was elected to Grobschmidt's Assembly and Senate seats after him and who was one of Grobschmidt's high school students, considered him a mentor.
"One of the things that he demonstrated to me early is that if you're willing to share the credit, you can get just about anything done in politics," Plale said, citing Grobschmidt's legislation to expand Interstate 794 and create open enrollment programs for public schools as examples of bipartisan partnerships.
"I learned a lot from that, and I tried to model my style of politics after that," Plale said.
Grobschmidt's ability to listen extended to all of his constituents, no matter the issue, Tamara Grobschmidt said.
He always left an impression.
"You can't go anywhere with my dad without him seeing someone he knows," his daughter said. "He'll see at least three people (he knows) in the grocery store (when he goes) to buy milk."
When she and her husband held their destination wedding in Costa Rica, her father and a few family members decided to take a hike in the rainforest.
It was them alone until four other hikers came by. One of them looked up and said, "Senator Grobschmidt?"
Richard Grobschmidt was born in Milwaukee and grew up in a political household — his father is a former mayor of South Milwaukee, Chester Grobschmidt — but he did not always plan on going into politics.
After attending University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh for a degree in secondary education in social studies, he spent 12 years as a high school social studies teacher at South Milwaukee High School, which he had attended.
"He was probably one of the best teachers that I ever taught with," said Richard Thinnes, a lifelong friend of Grobschmidt who taught across the hallway from him.
"Like they say in 'The Music Man,' 'You gotta know your territory.' And he knew his territory," Thinnes said.
He decided to run for the state Assembly in 1984, and took office the following year.
He retired from politics in January 2003 to become an assistant superintendent, a role in which he oversaw early childhood education, technology and libraries for the state.
He stayed in that position until 2010.
He was known in the Assembly and Senate as an effective workhorse who passed legislation without chasing headlines, Plale said. He was well respected by both Democrats and Republicans.
"I never heard anything negative coming out of that man's mouth," Thinnes said. "He just got along with everybody."
Grobschmidt is survived by his wife of 47 years, Barbara Grobschmidt; daughter, Tamara Grobschmidt (John E. German); father, the former South Milwaukee Mayor Chester W. Grobschmidt; and sister, Karen Southerlin (Bo Southerlin).
Visitation will be held from 8:30 a.m. until services at 11 Friday at Divine Mercy Parish Church at 800 Marquette Ave., South Milwaukee. Graveside service at Forest Hill Memorial Park will follow.
By Hannah Schwarz of the Journal Sentinel
Preceded in death by his step mother, Lorraine.
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