In Memory of Joseph Russell Avdek ’71
- Mar. 09, 2026

Joseph Russell Avdek ’71 passed away on January 6, 2026, in Minneapolis, MN. Joe graduated from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 1971 with a bachelor of science degree. He used that education to propel a 50+ year career in sales. He was always thought to say he was a UW graduate. He leaves behind his wife, Debbie, his two surviving sons, Greg and Kirk Anderson, and his two grandchildren, Piers and Isla Anderson.
More Alumni Notes
Gary Jahnke EMBA’11, founder and president of Huzzard Data Systems, shares that Huzzard Data was acquired in January by Click Theory Capital. Jahnke started Huzzard Data while part of the 2009–11 Wisconsin School of Business (WSB) executive MBA co...
Life feels especially full this year – continuing to work as a financial advisor with Edward Jones, partnering with clients helping them achieve their goals. Proudly looking forward to my son’s graduation from the Air Force Academy and upcoming fl...
Joseph Landon Coleman, of Superior, Colorado, passed away on February 4, 2026, surrounded by his family, after a courageous battle with cancer. He was 59. Joe was born April 1, 1966, in New Orleans, Louisiana, to Walter and Ann Coleman. His childh...
Having gotten back into fishing in 1992, I (William Schultz ’73) caught and released my first smallmouth bass in May of 1994. Having kept a log during my time as a Badger swimmer and Hall of Fame racquetball career, I keep one for my fishing. So, ...
Gary Jahnke EMBA’11, founder and president of Huzzard Data Systems, shares that Huzzard Data was acquired in January by Click Theory Capital. Jahnke started Huzzard Data while part of the 2009–11 Wisconsin School of Business (WSB) executive MBA co...
Life feels especially full this year – continuing to work as a financial advisor with Edward Jones, partnering with clients helping them achieve their goals. Proudly looking forward to my son’s graduation from the Air Force Academy and upcoming fl...
Joseph Landon Coleman, of Superior, Colorado, passed away on February 4, 2026, surrounded by his family, after a courageous battle with cancer. He was 59. Joe was born April 1, 1966, in New Orleans, Louisiana, to Walter and Ann Coleman. His childh...
Having gotten back into fishing in 1992, I (William Schultz ’73) caught and released my first smallmouth bass in May of 1994. Having kept a log during my time as a Badger swimmer and Hall of Fame racquetball career, I keep one for my fishing. So, ...
Gary Jahnke EMBA’11, founder and president of Huzzard Data Systems, shares that Huzzard Data was acquired in January by Click Theory Capital. Jahnke started Huzzard Data while part of the 2009–11 Wisconsin School of Business (WSB) executive MBA co...
Life feels especially full this year – continuing to work as a financial advisor with Edward Jones, partnering with clients helping them achieve their goals. Proudly looking forward to my son’s graduation from the Air Force Academy and upcoming fl...
Joseph Landon Coleman, of Superior, Colorado, passed away on February 4, 2026, surrounded by his family, after a courageous battle with cancer. He was 59. Joe was born April 1, 1966, in New Orleans, Louisiana, to Walter and Ann Coleman. His childh...
Having gotten back into fishing in 1992, I (William Schultz ’73) caught and released my first smallmouth bass in May of 1994. Having kept a log during my time as a Badger swimmer and Hall of Fame racquetball career, I keep one for my fishing. So, ...




