John Widder

Madison - John M. Widder, age 57, passed away Thursday, Sept, 17, 2009, at his home as a result of complications arising from a recent kidney transplant.He was born on August 5, 1952 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin the son of Theodore C. and Sarah Reynolds Widder. He grew up in Oshkosh with his five brothers and sisters. He was very active in the Boy Scouts of America, serving as a camp counselor at Twin Lakes Boy Scout Camp in Wild Rose, WI for many summers.He graduated from Oshkosh High School and then went on to UW-Madison where he was awarded a B.S. in geology. At UW, he was also awarded the prestigious Phi Beta Kappa key. After receiving his undergraduate degree, he received a Masters Degree in meteorology from UW-Madison and a law degree from Stanford University Law School, Palo Alto, CA.Following graduation from Stanford, John moved to Washington D.C. where he worked as an attorney for the U.S. Department of Energy. He later went into private law practice. He also started two consulting companies-Energy Watch and Federal Action-which advised clients on U.S. energy policy and proceedings. His main joys were spending time with his five children, traveling, camping and going to Brewers games. Survivors include his five loving children, Kyle (24), and Kirsten, Christian, Mackenzie and Benjamin (all 19); their mother Kathleen Hart of Madison; siblings, Tripp (Nancy) of Madison, Patricia of Chicago, Barbara (Paul Lowry) of Oshkosh, Jim (Cheryl) of St. Paul, MN, and Ed (Cassie) of Antioch, IL, and many nieces and nephews.He was preceded in death by his parents.In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Widder Childrens College Fund, c/o Attorneys Mohs, MacDonald, Widder & Paradise, 20 N. Carroll St., Madison, WI 53703; Edgewood High School Scholarship Fund, 2219 Monroe Street, Madison, WI 53711; or the Catholic Multicultural Center, 1862 Beld St., Madison, WI 53713. Visitation will take place beginning at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 22, 2009, at St. Maria Goretti Church. A mass of Christian burial to be to be officiated by Monsignor Michael Burke will be held immediately following at 2:00 p.m. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Widder Childrens College Fund, c/o Attorneys Mohs, MacDonald, Widder & Paradise, 20 N. Carroll St., Madison, WI 53703; Edgewood High School Scholarship Fund, 2219 Monroe Street, Madison, WI 53711; or the Catholic Multicultural Center, 1862 Beld St., Madison, WI 53713. Visitation: Visitation will take place beginning at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 22, 2009, at St. Maria Goretti Church. Service: A mass of Christian burial to be to be officiated by Monsignor Michael Burke will be held immediately following at 2:00 p.m. \r\n