Bryant Edwin Wackman

MADISON- Bryant “Be” Wackman, of Madison, peacefully passed away at his home on Sunday, July 31, 2011, surrounded by his family. A native of Brooklyn, Be was born on May 12, 1926, to Philip and Doris Wackman. He graduated from Brooklyn High School in 1944. He then joined the Navy and served aboard the USS Chikaskia, receiving battle stars for Leyte Gulf, Iwo Jima and Okinawa. He was a 1950 graduate of the University of Wisconsin and of the Graduate School of Banking, later attending the American Banker Association’s Community Bank Chief Executive Officer’s School. In 1963, Bryant became the third generation to lead the Brooklyn State Bank which was founded by his grandfather, Charles Wackman in 1900. During his banking career he was elected as President of the Wisconsin Bankers’ Association from 1970-71 and again from 1976-77. During his involvement with the WBA he was a chairman of the Pension and Insurance Committee for twenty years and the Executive Council for eight years. In the 1970s Bryant worked with the ABA government relations committee, served on the American Bankers’ Association Board of Directors, and was the Chairman of the Community Bankers Division of the ABA. He was also Vice President of the Community Bank, Inc. Board of Directors. In conjunction with his active public involvement in the banking industry, Bryant continued to lead the Brooklyn State Bank and the Bank of Oregon forward into the new banking era until his retirement in 1990. As a strong community contributor, Be served as President of the Brooklyn School Board from 1953-1961 and as Brooklyn Village President from 1963-1971. He was also a member of the Madison Consistory and the Zor Shriners. Be loved playing basketball and refereeing, vacationing in the north woods at Dairymen’s, watching UW basketball and football, and playing golf. He was a supportive and kind man, husband and father. He loved chatting with his family and friends. He will be so missed. He is preceded in death by his parents and son, Phil. Be is survived by his wife, Sandra; sister, Barbara Quantius; daughter, Mary (Ralph) Benjamin; two step-daughters, Keri Bennet and Kelly (David) Baker; eight grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and cousins, nieces and nephews. There will be a memorial service at BROOKLYN UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, 201 Church Street, Brooklyn, at noon, on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011. Family will greet friends before the service from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Bryant’s name can be made to the Brooklyn United Methodist Church or Hospice. A special thank you to Pastor Mary Council Austin, Dr. Kostelyna, Pat Lohr NP and Hospice for their kindness and care. Sunset and evening star, And one clear call for me! And may there be no moaning of the bar, When I put out to sea, But such a tide as moving seems asleep, Too full for sound and foam, Twilight and evening bell, And after that the dark! And may there be no sadness of farewell, When I embark; For tho’ from out our bourne of Time and Place The flood may bear me far, I hope to see my Pilot face to face When I have crossed the bar. Alfred Lord Tennyson In lieu of flowers, memorials in Bryant’s name can be made to the Brooklyn United Methodist Church or Hospice. Family will greet friends before the service from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011. There will be a memorial service at BROOKLYN UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, 201 Church Street, Brooklyn, at noon, on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011.