Al Wilkins
July 28, 1941 - August 23, 2026
Obituary
MADISON - Allen “Al” Wilkins, age 85, of Madison, Wis., passed peacefully into eternity on Sunday, August 23, 2026. He was the son of Elmer and Corinne (Vesperman) Wilkins of Platteville, Wis. Al grew up on a large dairy farm and graduated from high school in 1959. In 1964, he graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in mechanical engineering.
In 1962, Al married his high school sweetheart and love of his life, Judy Fruit, of Lancaster. In August, they celebrated 64 happy years of marriage. Together they were blessed with three wonderful children whom they are extremely proud of.
Al is survived by his wife, Judy Wilkins; and their children, Kelly Wilson (Terry), Lee Wilkins (Josh Rhodes) and Jay Wilkins (Torrey); grandchildren, Claire Wilkins, Ashton Wilkins and Alexander Wilkins; and brothers, Curtis Wilkins, Dale Wilkins (Judy) and Earl Wilkins.
In 1973, Al joined the Sub-Zero Wolf company. He loved the company, the owners, the products, and the people he worked with. And they loved him. During the 32 years he worked there, he began as an engineer and ultimately became its Chief Operations Officer. After retirement, he continued to serve on the Board of Directors.
Al was a very caring and humble man who loved his family greatly. He had a quick wit and a lovely personality. He was a man of faith and loved his career and his many friends. He was a creative, intelligent, and hard-working man with a loving and kind personality.
He loved to grow tomatoes and deliver them to friends. He was a general aviation pilot with a commercial certification and an instrument rating. He was an avid golfer. Al is a veteran of the Vietnam War and served faithfully in the Wisconsin Army National Guard.
A memorial gathering will be held on Saturday, August 29, 2026, from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. at the Community Room of ATTIC ANGEL RETIREMENT COMMUNITY, 8301 Old Sauk Road, Middleton, Wis., with remarks at 1:30 p.m. Burial will be private.
If desired, a donation in Al’s memory may be made to causes that he believed in: Angel Flight Central (www.angelflightcentral.org) or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (www.stjude.org). Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson West
Funeral & Cremation Care
7435 University Ave.
(608) 831-6761
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