Walter H. Argraves

MIDDLETON-Walter Hubbard Argraves, age 93, passed away on Wednesday, November 11, 2009. He was born on June 2, 1916, to Eber and Ada (Hubbard) Argraves in Rockford, Illinois. One of his earliest memories was watching the French Zasvas, in their colorful uniforms as they passed by the living room window around 1918. The next stop was to go to Sterling, IL., to live with the Hubbard grandparents while his father was in Pharmacy school. He was three at the time. He began school in Kenosha and resided there until his sophomore year when the family moved to Milwaukee. He entered Washington High School which was a more challenging school where most of the students were college bound. Bertha Sentry, his German teacher, often commented on his poor German accent, \"Ach, that boy from Kenosha.\" Most of the students were from families of a German background. He was interested in becoming an engineer but that was not to be, so he entered the field of education. Walter went to UW-Milwaukee and taught at his first school in 4th Ward South Milwaukee. After two years he became a teacher/principal of the school. In the summer he continued his education at UW Madison and in 1942 he received his Masters Degree and then began his work on his Doctorate Degree. He had completed all the classwork when he had the opportunity to come to Madison. He became principal of the Longfellow School and opened the new Van Hise Elementary and Middle Schools in 1957. Many of the teachers at Longfellow moved to the new school because of their desire to work with him. While he was working on his Masters Degree and Doctorate he specialized in the special needs students so when Longfellow became a special needs school he was asked to assume that administrative responsibility. He spent many years in education , enriching the lives of the children he touched both mentally and physically. In 1972 he became principal of Aldo Leopold School which was the largest elementary school in Madison at that time with over 900 students. He continued there until he retired in 1977. For more that 39 years he served as teacher in the elementary grades, teacher of the mentally challenged and for ten summer sessions as instructor in the Clinical Reading Program at UW-Madison. He was at five different schools and a new Junior High. Some of his studies at UW-Madison centered around clinical studies to improve reading. He collaborated with the university in working with the mentally challenged and began a weekly recreation program for them. In 1974, he received a Certificate of Appreciation for his work on the Task force on Remedial Reading form Barbara Thompson, State Superintendent of Education. In 1939, he married Muriel Christian and a daughter Lois and son Jack blessed the family. As a family they enjoyed their summers spent traveling and camping with the Airstream trailer. They visited 49 of the states, missing only Hawaii. Because of his interest in engineering, he always dreamed of designing and building his own home . In 1973, they purchased property in Vermont Township and began this very enjoyable project. This was a labor of love. They enjoyed spending their winters in Texas and while returning from Texas, his wife Muriel passed away. While in Texas, he became interested in Amateur Radio and studied to become a "Ham Operator," He enjoyed the friendship of many others of the same interest and was active in the network. This was an exciting hobby. Walter was always interested in environmental responsibilities and joined the Tree Farm program. He planted over a thousand trees on the property which greatly changed the landscape. Planting and gardening became a natural for him which he great enjoyed. In 1983 he married Charlotte Gaskill and they continued many of the hobbies that meant so much to him. Later they moved to Black Earth where they enjoyed 26 happy years together. Walter was active in the Midland United Methodist Church and served on the building committee of the new church. He was pleased with and supportive of the new church. Walter is survived by his wife, Charlotte; and children, Lois (Ralph) Kiefer with Lynn (Mark) Petersen, Jennifer (David)Williams, Jake and Katherine, Sarah, Jack (Jan) Argraves with Jim (Lindsey), Jason (Renee), Chris (Brian) Trower with Keith (Erica) and Jeff; a daughter-in-law, Diane Gaskill with Glenn, Tiffany (Nate) Smith. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Muriel, a brother, Robert and his wife Gloria, two step-sons, Greg and Ed Gaskill. Funeral services will be held at MIDLAND UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, 10235 Cty Hwy KP, Mazomanie at 11:00 AM on Saturday, November 14, 2009. Burial will be in Sunset Memory Gardens, Madison. Family and friends may call from 4:00 PM until 6:00 PM on Friday, November 13, 2009 at the GUNDERSON WEST FUNERAL HOME, 7435 University Ave, Middleton and also on Saturday from 10:00 AM until the time of the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to HospiceCare, Inc., 5395 E. Cheryl Parkway, Madison, WI 53711. Cemetery: Burial will be in Sunset Memory Gardens, Madison. Visitation: Family and friends may call from 4:00 PM until 6:00 PM on Friday, November 13, 2009 at the GUNDERSON WEST FUNERAL HOME, 7435 University Ave, Middleton and also on Saturday from 10:00 AM until the time of the service at the church. Service: Funeral services will be held at MIDLAND UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, 10235 Cty Hwy KP, Mazomanie at 11:00 AM on Saturday, November 14, 2009.