Individual Details
Jerry Bayley Culver
(17 Dec 1926 - 2 Oct 1998)
La Crosse Tribune, La Crosse, Wisconsin, Sunday, October 4, 1998: Jerry Bayley Culver, 71, of La Crosse, died of cancer on Friday, Oct. 2, 1998, at home cared for by family and friends.He was born in Platteville, Wis., Grant County, on Dec. 17, 1926, the youngest of four children, to Benjamin Franklin and Vie Hester (Bayley) Culver. He married Anna Beth Henneman on June 16, 1951, in Belmont, Wis. Jerry graduated valedictorian from Platteville High School in 1943, and received his Bachelor of Science degree from Platteville State Teachers College (now UW-Platte-ville) in 1948. He served in the Wisconsin State Guard as a member of Co.E 3rd Infantry from Dec. 1944 receiving an honorable discharge in May 1947. For a time after, he worked as a trouble shooter (mechanic) for Lindsey Brothers Milwaukee (Case Machine Co.) traveling throughout the Midwest repairing farmers' machinery on site. In 1949 he attended the UW-Madison and received the Master of Science (1952) in geography. He continued graduate studies with a teaching assistantship (1951-53) and served as Research Associate in the Office of Naval Research Program (1952-56). In February 1956, he joined the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Department of Geography and Earth Science, becoming an Associate Professor in 1961. He developed a four-credit laboratory science course known as Geography 122, "Maps and Landforms, " which later became part of the basic studies offering to all students entering UW-La Crosse. Other course specialties were "Geography of Wisconsin, " "Conservation of Wisconsin, " and "Historical Geography of the United States. " Later "Environmental Conservation " was added to satisfy the DPI requirement of graduating Education, and Social Studies teaching majors. To keep his courses up to date he traveled throughout U.S. and Canada during vacations and summers, researching, viewing land forms, and acquiring photos and slides of the features he lectured about in his classes. In 1976 alone, he traveled more than 8,000 miles in western North America studying the geomorphology and collecting materials for his courses. In addition, he offered classes to teachers throughout Wisconsin via Extension. He was appointed to Director of The Atlas of Wisconsin Project, a joint project of the State University and the University of Wisconsin from 1967-1973. The Atlas contained maps and a gazetteer of some 14,000 names referring to places in Wisconsin, the latter under his direction. The Atlas of Wisconsin was published in 1974. He also was a consultant to Raintree Publishers, who published reference books and atlases.
Throughout his 37 years at UW-La Crosse, he was an advocate for faculty governance, working to improve the conditions, salaries and benefits for all employees. To this end, he was active in the Association of University Wisconsin Faculties (TAUWF) for over three decades, serving in many roles. Elected Vice President in 1973, where in the next two years (1974-76) during his presidency and under his leadership, the Wisconsin Legislature and Gov. Lucey passed legislation approving a Sick Leave Conversion Bill, which would pay the cost of health insurance premium after retirement or death for the retiree or spouse and dependent children. In addition, an opportunity for Sabbatical Leaves and a Tax Sheltered Annuity Bill were signed into law. As early as 1966, he worked toward acquiring collective bargaining for University faculty and to this end, TAUWF joined the WFT and AFT-CIO in 1977, where he served as Vice President of WFT and on the executive committee of the AFT for three years.On the UW-L campus, the Faculty Senate selected him as its Faculty Representative to Western Wisconsin Consortium Commission (WWCC), an organization designed to provide the Universities of Eau Claire, River Falls, Stout, and La Crosse an opportunity to look at program offerings. He authorized the draft of the UW-L tenure density policy subsequently adopted by the administration and faculty senate of the University. Jerry served on the Grievance, Appeals, and Academic Freedom; Articles and By-Laws and Administrative Appointments Committees. He was the adviser to the Phi Sigma Epsilon Fraternity for 35 years.
Memberships included the American Association of Geographers, Wisconsin Academy of Science, Arts, and Letters and The Smithsonian Associates. An active member of the Izaac Walton League, he was both a participant and/or consultant to the Great River Environmental Action Team meetings and surveys, Upper Mississippi River Basin Committee for the Corps of Engineers and willingly responded to the many requests from area schools for lectures on the historical geography and Coulee Region land forms. He led field trips, gave lectures on Physiography of the Coulee Region to La Crosse County Soil and Water District Supervisors and others serving as a member and Director of the Wisconsin Map Society.An advocate and lover of traditional jazz, he enjoyed and supported the P&J (early site of jazz in La Crosse) and the La Crosse Jazz Society annual events.
After 42 years of service to the University of Wisconsin System, he retired from the UW-La Crosse in 1993, with the title of Professor Emeritus. He continued his travels, sharing his love of the land, traditional jazz, Chryslers, and the Culver heritage with family and friends. "Always a devoted teacher, these were memorable educational experiences for all who had the good fortune to ride along. "He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Anna Beth Henneman; two sons, Joshua Kirk Culver, Richfield, Minn., and Morgan Kindrick (Kathy) Culver of Petaluma, Calif.; two grandsons, Graham Keegan and Nathan Carey Culver, also of Petaluma. A brother, Lyman Delos (Genevieve) Culver of Platteville; and six nieces; and three nephews.He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Hila (Robert) Heffernan, Kewaunee, and Agusta (Byron) Stephens, of Platteville.
Friends may call Tuesday, Oct. 6, from 5 to 8 p.m., at the Woodruff Funeral Home on 4329 Mormon Coulee Rd. A graveside service will be in the Whig Cemetery, Grant County, at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Rev. Carson Culver, nephew, of Richland Center, officiating. Visitation will also be held on Friday, Oct. 9, at 1 p.m. at the UW-La Crosse Cleary Alumni and Friends Center, followed by a memorial service at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to UW-La Crosse Foundation and Gundersen Lutheran Hospice Care. "Used car lots are waiting, have a safe trip Dad "
Throughout his 37 years at UW-La Crosse, he was an advocate for faculty governance, working to improve the conditions, salaries and benefits for all employees. To this end, he was active in the Association of University Wisconsin Faculties (TAUWF) for over three decades, serving in many roles. Elected Vice President in 1973, where in the next two years (1974-76) during his presidency and under his leadership, the Wisconsin Legislature and Gov. Lucey passed legislation approving a Sick Leave Conversion Bill, which would pay the cost of health insurance premium after retirement or death for the retiree or spouse and dependent children. In addition, an opportunity for Sabbatical Leaves and a Tax Sheltered Annuity Bill were signed into law. As early as 1966, he worked toward acquiring collective bargaining for University faculty and to this end, TAUWF joined the WFT and AFT-CIO in 1977, where he served as Vice President of WFT and on the executive committee of the AFT for three years.On the UW-L campus, the Faculty Senate selected him as its Faculty Representative to Western Wisconsin Consortium Commission (WWCC), an organization designed to provide the Universities of Eau Claire, River Falls, Stout, and La Crosse an opportunity to look at program offerings. He authorized the draft of the UW-L tenure density policy subsequently adopted by the administration and faculty senate of the University. Jerry served on the Grievance, Appeals, and Academic Freedom; Articles and By-Laws and Administrative Appointments Committees. He was the adviser to the Phi Sigma Epsilon Fraternity for 35 years.
Memberships included the American Association of Geographers, Wisconsin Academy of Science, Arts, and Letters and The Smithsonian Associates. An active member of the Izaac Walton League, he was both a participant and/or consultant to the Great River Environmental Action Team meetings and surveys, Upper Mississippi River Basin Committee for the Corps of Engineers and willingly responded to the many requests from area schools for lectures on the historical geography and Coulee Region land forms. He led field trips, gave lectures on Physiography of the Coulee Region to La Crosse County Soil and Water District Supervisors and others serving as a member and Director of the Wisconsin Map Society.An advocate and lover of traditional jazz, he enjoyed and supported the P&J (early site of jazz in La Crosse) and the La Crosse Jazz Society annual events.
After 42 years of service to the University of Wisconsin System, he retired from the UW-La Crosse in 1993, with the title of Professor Emeritus. He continued his travels, sharing his love of the land, traditional jazz, Chryslers, and the Culver heritage with family and friends. "Always a devoted teacher, these were memorable educational experiences for all who had the good fortune to ride along. "He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Anna Beth Henneman; two sons, Joshua Kirk Culver, Richfield, Minn., and Morgan Kindrick (Kathy) Culver of Petaluma, Calif.; two grandsons, Graham Keegan and Nathan Carey Culver, also of Petaluma. A brother, Lyman Delos (Genevieve) Culver of Platteville; and six nieces; and three nephews.He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Hila (Robert) Heffernan, Kewaunee, and Agusta (Byron) Stephens, of Platteville.
Friends may call Tuesday, Oct. 6, from 5 to 8 p.m., at the Woodruff Funeral Home on 4329 Mormon Coulee Rd. A graveside service will be in the Whig Cemetery, Grant County, at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Rev. Carson Culver, nephew, of Richland Center, officiating. Visitation will also be held on Friday, Oct. 9, at 1 p.m. at the UW-La Crosse Cleary Alumni and Friends Center, followed by a memorial service at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to UW-La Crosse Foundation and Gundersen Lutheran Hospice Care. "Used car lots are waiting, have a safe trip Dad "
Events
| Birth | 17 Dec 1926 | Platteville, Grant Co., Wisconsin |  | ||
| Marriage | 16 Jun 1951 | Belmont, Lafayette Co., Wisconsin - Anna Beth Henneman | | ||
| Death | 2 Oct 1998 | La Crosse, La Crosse Co., Wisconsin | | ||
| Burial | Whig Methodist Cemetery, Platteville, Grant Co., Wisconsin | |
Families
| Spouse | Anna Beth Henneman (1927 - ) |
| Child | Joshua Kirk Culver ( - ) |
| Child | Morgan Kindrick Culver ( - ) |
| Father | Benjamin Franklin Culver (1876 - 1969) |
| Mother | Viola "Vie" Hester Bayley (1885 - 1969) |
| Sibling | Hila Culver (1908 - 1977) |
| Sibling | Honor Augusta Culver (1910 - 1975) |
| Sibling | Ernest Delos Culver (1916 - 2005) |
| Sibling | Nellie Culver ( - ) |
Endnotes
1. 1930 Census Grant Co., Wisconsin.
2. Social Security Death Index.
3. Obituary of Jerry Bayley Culver, La Crosse Tribune, La Crosse, Wisconsin, Sunday, October 4, 1998.
4. Obituary of Jerry Bayley Culver, La Crosse Tribune, La Crosse, Wisconsin, Sunday, October 4, 1998.
5. Social Security Death Index.
6. Obituary of Jerry Bayley Culver, La Crosse Tribune, La Crosse, Wisconsin, Sunday, October 4, 1998.
7. Obituary of Jerry Bayley Culver, La Crosse Tribune, La Crosse, Wisconsin, Sunday, October 4, 1998.