John Reynoldson
May 26, 1929 - October 13, 2009
Obituary
Reynoldson, John Roland
MADISON-John Roland Reynoldson, age 80, passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2009. He was born on May 26, 1929, in Madison, the son of Roland George and Gertrude "Trudy" Reynoldson. John graduated from Wisconsin High School, where he was class president and the University of Wisconsin with bachelor's and master's degrees. He served as a second lieutenant in the U. S. Army, front-line infantry in Korea, where he was highly decorated for valor in combat (Silver Star and Purple Heart). John was also an ROTC cadet commander at the University of Wisconsin, in the Pershing Rifles as an expert marksman and was a paratrooper. He married Virginia Goff on June 17, 1949. She preceded him in death on Feb. 19, 2008. In addition to serving in the military, John led a distinguished professional career. He led Madison Board of Education personnel efforts for the better part of 10 years, where he hired the city's best teachers. John taught school in Madison for nearly 40 years at Cherokee and Schenk Middle Schools, where he focused on English and history. He was named one of America's best teachers by Oprah Winfrey. John maintained an active lifestyle, traveling the globe across the U. S., Europe, Asia and into the Himalayas. He led students in Explorer Scouts and People-to-People ventures. John was an avid outdoorsman, hiking, mountain climbing, downhill skiing, cycling and camping. He was a voracious reader and communicator. In addition to the aforementioned, John served in the Madison Optimists and Madison Downtown Rotary. He and his wife, Virginia attended Christ Presbyterian Church and First Baptist Church in Madison. At the latter church, John and Virginia taught Sunday school. John is survived by two children, Jack (Muni) Reynoldson of Fort Myers, Fla., and Jill (Tom) Fontaine of Rapid City, S.D.; and grandchildren, Sara, Nicole and Garrett Reynoldson, and Diane and Michael Fontaine. A remembrance and celebration of John's life will be held at MAPLE BLUFF COUNTRY CLUB, 500 Kensington Drive, Maple Bluff, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2009.
Gunderson EastFuneral & Cremation Centers5203 Monona Drive(608) 221-5420www.gundersonfh.com
Service:
A remembrance and celebration of John's life will be held at MAPLE BLUFF COUNTRY CLUB, 500 Kensington Drive, Maple Bluff, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2009.
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Memories
DR
Dawn Reichhoff
Other •
I had Mr.Reynoldson for a teacher back in 1975/1976 school year(8th grade). Back then, being a student who just wanted to get through the day like everyone else, I didn't appreciate my teachers and the right that I had to learn to my full potential. I can honestly say that I had only two teachers that had an influence on me. Mr Reynoldson was one and Dutch Durnford was the other(Monona Grove) They both always let us voice our opinions and listened with respect, but also asked questions that made you think about it from a different perspective. I can honestly say Thank God for Teachers like these truly great men. He is probably correcting my grammar right now. The biggest thing that I remember about his class was ALICE! Alice greeted us everyday with her pink polyester mini skirt and vest. She told us everyday what to bring to class... things like pencils and paper. She was a classic! I know that the Madison School District was lucky to have had such a great person working for them. If there were only more people like Mr. Reynoldson in this world, it would be such a great world.
SC
Steven Cooper
Other •
God Bless such a wonderful man, as he has touched so many.
Thank you Mr. Reynoldson, your the best!
GF
George and Tama Lynn DePrey Frazier
Other •
We would like to offer our deepest condolences to the Reynoldson family. John was my English teacher at Schenk elementary school. He always put his heart into whatever lesson he was trying to teach us. I remember the time when he asked me to dress up as Paul Revere and say, "The English are coming. The English are coming!" I was wearing a brown dress and a bonnet. He as a good and caring teacher. I remember him even though I was only twelve years old at the time. He made me laugh, too. So saddened to hear of your loss. Take good care now.
K
Keith
Other •
Mr Reynoldson was my teacher in 5th grade. He's been a part of my life ever since. He helped me to believe in myself when others didn't. He was one of those people who could make you feel seen and important. He taught me that giving your best wasn't about other people but about me. I'm here because like so many times in the decades since I was his student I'm thinking about him. My daughter is currently getting her credentials to teach and you can be sure she knows how a single teacher can change the world because I was there and it really happened.