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George Richard, ’47, editor of the Wisconsin Alumnus magazine 1951-1959, died February 16, 2017

George Mairet Richard died February 16, 2017, one month shy of his 94th birthday. He was born in Hoquiam, Washington, to Albert and Blanche (Mairet) Richard on March 25, 1923, and grew up in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. George enlisted in the U.S. Navy for World War II, attended Columbia University for Officer Training, and served in the Pacific theater. He finished his studies in journalism at the University of Wisconsin in Madison and graduated in 1947. He married Lorna (Streib) and they moved to Arizona that same year, where he worked on the Arizona Highways magazine. They moved back to Madison where George was editor of the University of Wisconsin Alumnus Magazine. Moving to Milwaukee, George worked for UW-Milwaukee, and was then director of the Wustum Art Museum in Racine, Wisconsin. He retired from city of Milwaukee service.

Always athletic, active, and a life-long learner, George was involved in the World Federalists, United Nations Association, play-reading parties, bridge, auditing classes, and even dabbling as an amateur inventor. Camping, fishing, and canoeing in Northern Wisconsin were his favorite getaways. George and Lorna’s house was always welcoming and there was always something interesting to talk about, read, or do.

George was predeceased by his sister, Barbara, and his beloved Lorna (one of the few who could beat him at Scrabble). He is survived by their six children, Pamela, Patrick (Patty Byrne), Jill Mulhern, ’76 (Mark), Liz (Paul Host), Jane, ’84, ’86 (Jonathan Cooper, ’79), and Bill (Laura Martin), as well as seven grandchildren (Dehlia, Liliana, Loren, Drew, Julia, Jack, and Walter), three great grand-children (Tyler, Gabriela, and Xyella), his brother Bert (Carol), and many nieces, nephews, and dear friends.

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