Ralph "Dick" Layman

Madison - Ralph R. “Dick” Layman, passed away on Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2021, at Agrace HospiceCare, where he had been moved on Tuesday after many years at Oakwood’s retirement facility. Born Oct. 5, 1930, he was the second child of Ralph R Layman I and Ruth Layman, who later remarried Adam P. Donnan. Dick grew up in the Chicago area and graduated from the University of Illinois in 1952. Later that same year, he married Gloria A. Sorensen. Dick was drafted into the U.S. Army and sent to France, where their son, Ralph, was born. Three years later, their daughter, Laurel, was born in Sparta, Wis. Dick had a career spanning 31 years in Wisconsin public education from his early days of teaching in Sparta, to earning a Master’s in Guidance and Counseling from the UW-Madison while in Chilton, and finally spending 23 years at Madison West until his retirement in June 1987. Dick and Gloria created and co-published college directories in newspaper format from 1962 until 1998. They dated for seven years before their marriage and celebrated their strong lifelong partnership at their 60th wedding anniversary prior to her passing in 2013. Dick, with his love of singing and musicals, was a long-standing member of the German singing group, Madison Maennerchor. He also participated in several Gilbert & Sullivan productions as a member of the Madison Savoyards. As a resident of Oakwood, he continued his passion for music by starting the Oakwood Choir group and hosting concerts with Maennerchor. Over the years, Dick enjoyed travel, canoeing, cycling, reading, history and watching his favorite teams, the Packers, Badgers and Chicago Cubs. Dick is survived by his son, Ralph Jr. (Jasbeena); his daughter, Laurel; his seven grandchildren, Katherine, Michelle, Elizabeth, Abby, Xira, Emily and Karina; along with two great-grandchildren, Emilia and Lola. He is also survived by Lori (Wheeler) Williams, who has been like a daughter to Dick and Gloria. Dick especially enjoyed celebrations with family, colleagues, Maennerchor and Savoyards, and was appreciative in later years of the friendly staff and friends at Oakwood. His family would like to express their appreciation and support he received from the Tabor Oaks staff at Oakwood and to Agrace HospiceCare. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson West Funeral & Cremation Care 7435 University Ave. (608) 831-6761