OREGON - Philip August Helmke, age 82, passed away peacefully at BeeHive Homes of Oregon, Wis., surrounded by his loving family on Feb. 20, 2024. He was born on Feb. 8, 1942, in Marshfield, Wis., the son of August and Mercedes (Weber) Helmke. Phil grew up on the family dairy farm in the Town of Eau Pleine, Marathon County, Wis. He attended a one-room school for his first eight years of education before graduating from Stratford High School, Stratford, Wis.

Phil earned a B.S. degree in chemistry at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point in 1964 and a Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry with a minor in geology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1971.

From 1964-1967, Phil taught chemistry, physics and algebra at Edgar High School, Edgar, Wis. While there, he served as advisor to the Class of 1968 who dedicated their annual high school yearbook to him. In 1967, he enrolled at University of Wisconsin-Madison to pursue a Ph.D. in chemistry. This was a lifetime goal that began on the farm where he studied rocks and performed experiments with his youth chemistry set.

While a graduate student, Phil analyzed lunar samples brought back to earth from the moon by the NASA Apollo missions. In 1970, he co-authored his first scientific paper, “Rare Earth Elements in Returned Lunar Samples,” that was published in the journal Science. Phil was a professor in the Department of Soil Science at UW-Madison from 1973 to 2007. He skillfully taught graduate courses in environmental chemistry and trained and inspired many graduate students from around the world to conduct research about the soil-water-plant system.

In 1996, Phil and his brothers, Kenneth and Richard, took over the family farm near Stratford, Wis. They formed Helmke Brothers LLC and operated the farm as a cash grain business which continues to operate today. Phil was an accomplished ballroom dancer, a skilled woodworker, an avid gardener, and a natural leader whose advice was often sought by friends and family.

Phil is survived by his wife and dance partner, Denise M. Ney; son, Austin Philip Ney Helmke (fiancée, Sarah); brothers, Kenneth M. (Sue) Helmke and Richard L. Helmke; mother-in-law, Ottilie Ney; nieces, Cara Helmke, Cindy Adamick and Cathy Moran; and nephew, John Helmke. Phil was preceded in death by his parents; and father-in-law, Laurie Ney.

Phil was a loving and dedicated husband, father, and friend whose spirit lives on.

A private celebration of life will take place at a future date.

In lieu of flowers, please be especially kind to someone today.

The family extends their heart-felt appreciation and thank you to the many caregivers who supported Phil during his final years. Online condolences may be made at www.gunderson.com.

Gunderson Oregon

Funeral & Cremation Care

1150 Park St.

(608) 835-3515

Philip Helmke

February 08, 1942 - February 20, 2024

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