Dr. William Charles Bogenschultz D.V.M.

He was born on March 19, 1931 to William M. and Phebe (Noel) Bogenschuetz in Kewaunee County, Wisconsin, in the farmhouse of his grandparents, Charles and Matilda (Van Ess) Noel.

He graduated from Kohler High School, Class of 1949. He attended Lakeland College. He enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1951, and served in the Korean War, becoming an Airman Third Class and Sergeant. In 1954, he attended the Air Force Intelligence School at Lowry Air Force Base, and provided photographic aerial reconnaissance in Korea.

While stationed at the Smoky Hill Air Force Base with the 350th Bomb Wing in Salina, Kansas, he met Shirley Schultz, a sophomore at Marymount College, at a dance. The next evening they saw the movie "From Here to Eternity" and so would they be united, and married on December 22, 1955 in Salina.

He attended Kansas State University to complete his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 1960, graduating with honors, and returned to Sheboygan to co-found the Animal Clinic, on Calumet Dr., with Dr. Vernon Thieleke, D.V.M. Their practice treated large and small animals, growing to six veterinarians during his thirty-three years in practice. His six children fondly recall joining him on farm calls, and calling "KAQ 933" to reach him on his car's two-way radio.

For twenty years, he served on Sheboygan County Humane Society board. He was president of the Northeastern Wisconsin Veterinary Medical Association in 1984, and received the Meritorious Award in 1987. He served on the Wisconsin Veterinary Medicine Association's committees, and Insurance Board, and was a member of the American Animal Hospital Association, and KSU alumni association.

In 2010, the Wisconsin Veterinary Medical Association presented him with an award at its 95th convention to honor his fifty years serving his community and profession.

Dr. Bogenschultz loved the Sheboygan area community and was a member of People to People since 1974, the John Michael Kohler Arts Center, the Elks Club, the YMCA, and district committee member of the Boy Scouts of America, 1980-1983. He was on the board of directors for the First Interstate Bank, 1978-1988, and the board of Lakeland College in the 1980s. Since 1962, he was a member of First United Lutheran Church, and a past president of church council.

He was a charter member of Rotary Club of Sheboygan West, the second president 1972-1973, and received the club's first Paul Harris Fellow award in 1977, and was distinguished for efforts in the area of membership recruitment. He remained an active member for twenty-five years.

He hosted two Rotary international students from Sweden and Thailand, four interning veterinarians from Denmark and Germany, and five Esslingen, German high school students, as part of People to People, 1974-1983.

Dr. Bogenschultz was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, and he retired in 1993. He applied his medical knowledge to successfully manage his treatment and remain vital, active, and enthusiastic about his family, friends and interests in all the years he lived with Parkinson's. In October, 2002, he was an early participant in undergoing deep brain stimulation, allowing him greater mobility.

He enjoyed his retirement, and filled his time with family, friends, outdoor and social activities, travel, news, and his love of sports, especially the Packers, Badgers, Brewers, and KSU Wildcats. He relished all the celebrations, delighted in sharing a joke, and enjoyed attending his children's and grandchildren's activities. He looked forward to annual trips with his sister and brother-in-law to Florida. He also enjoyed trips to Alaska, Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, Japan, Thailand and Europe, visiting German and Thai exchange student families. However, Door County held a special place in his heart, especially Ellison Bay and Newport State Park.

Dr. Bogenschultz enjoyed a full and vibrant life right up to his hospitalization. The family is grateful that they were all together and had a wonderful time this past August.

Dr. William C. Bogenschultz is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Shirley, his six children; Janet Bogenschultz, Cold Spring, NY; David (Barbara) Bogenschultz, Lake Elmo, MN; W. Matthew (Jeanne Freiburg) Bogenschultz, St. Paul, MN; Sara (Ken) Born, Sheboygan, WI; Mark (Yo) Bogenschultz, Tokyo, Japan; and John Bogenschultz, Hoover, AL; and eight grandchildren; Eva, Marta, and Matthew Bogenschultz; Nathan and Calla Born; William C. Bogenschultz, Maximilian Bogenschultz, and Jasper Kai Bogenschultz; and four brothers-in-law; Larry Sommer, Milton (Marian) Schultz, James (Luella) Schultz, and Charles (Fran) Kennedy, and sister-in-law, Elizabeth (Schultz) Cooke; and nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends.

In addition to his parents, William M. and Phebe Bogenschuetz, he is preceded in death by his sister, Janice Sommer, his daughter-in-law, Lynne Rich Bogenschultz, his father-in-law Milton Schultz and mother-in-law, Vera Schultz, his brothers-in-law, Ernest Schultz and Russell Harper, and sisters-in-law, Gertrude (Schultz) Harper, Mildred (Schultz) Kennedy, Mary Jane (Strowig) Schultz, and many relatives and friends.

Family and friends may call at Ballhorn Chapels, 1201 N. 8th Street, Sheboygan, WI, on Friday, September 21, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The visitation will continue on Saturday, September 22, at First United Lutheran Church, 2401 Kohler Memorial Drive, Sheboygan, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. A Memorial Service and celebration of his life will follow at 11:00 a.m. at the church. He will be inurned at Greenlawn Memorial Park, 6706 Superior Avenue, Kohler, WI, at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, several memorial funds, to support causes dear to Bill's heart, will be established in his name.