Joseph D. "Joe" Zapf

The world needs more Joey Zapfs in it. He brought his love of life everywhere, and it was infectious. He loved to live and was not shy about sharing his zest for life with anyone he met. Joey was also kind and loyal, a friend to so many, and he meant so much to those of us who got to work with him and see him every day. Godspeed Joey.

There are so many memories it’s hard to pick any singular one that stands out. Most recently was a trip to the lake where the girls got Joe on the tube. They’re old pros at tubing and poor Joe was flopping around like a fish and eating water trying to find all of the hand holds to stay on. He did it, but once done started laughing saying it was a one and done for him!

I got to know Joey through my son Nathan who with Joey and Hentgen and a host of others became known as the “ Clark Street Hoodlems” while living at a small house south of campus in beautiful Bloomington, Indiana. For some reason the “ hoodlems” enjoyed having the old man around and I got to know Joey very well. I recall one night that my son was busy and Joey took me to an old famous steakhouse in Bloomington and insisted on paying for my meal. He treated me with respect and made me feel like one of the boys even though I was 30 years his senior. His love and zest for life was unmatched and I truly loved spending time with him either on Clark Street with the hoodlooms or after graduation in North Manchester where we would knock down a few beers at his favorite bar…. The Main View Inn. If he came home from Wisconsin he would always make a point of visiting with me and it meant the world to me. I recall one night when Donald Trump was first running for President and according to all of the talking heads on TV it came down to the vote in Wisconsin. I was very nervous and I called up my old friend in Madtown and he asssured me that he had worked tirelessly for Trump in Wisconsin and the state would go his way. I confronted Joey that Trump was down 10 points at that time and Joey said….” Don’t worry Dad…. We got this”. With that assurance I went to bed and when I woke up Trump had been elected and took Wisconsin just as Joey promised. You will be dearly missed old friend as the Clark Street Hoodlums just lost their favorite son

On behalf of the Wisconsin School of Business, where Joe completed his MBA, we'd like to express our sympathy to family members and friends. He was an impactful part of our learning community and his energy and spirit will be remembered by his classmates, staff and faculty. Sincerely, Blair Sanford, Associate Dean, MBA & Master's Programs, Wisconsin School of Business, UW-Madison

There is only one Joe Zapf in the world and hopefully he is as entertaining up above as he was on this earth. He will truly be missed by many as his passion for life and living out his life to the fullest was recognizable by his close friends and colleagues. Joey’s infectious personality could not be matched by just anybody and his way with words and one line zingers were the best, especially when he would send those in the early morning hours because we all know where Joey liked to spend his Friday and Saturday evenings! Waking up to voicemails, text messages, pictures or videos of Joe singing kareoke were always entertaining and would make you actually laugh out loud. I could keep going and going… there are so many great stories to tell and share about my friend Joe, but until we meet again, I am forever grateful to have you be a part of my life. -Rex Reimer