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IN MEMORY

Gilbert Dosemagen - Class Of 1953

Gilbert J. Dosemagen, 76, of Kenosha, died on Saturday, Aug. 4, 2012 at Manor Care.

Born in Kenosha on January 21, 1936, he was the son of the late Edward Frank and Bernice Alma (Hein) Dosemagen.

He attended Weiskopf Elementary School, Washington Jr. High School and was a 1953 graduate of Kenosha High School. Gil furthered his education in the University of Wisconsin Extension System in Kenosha and Racine. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Education from UW-Whitewater in 1958.

In 1958, Gil began honorably serving in the U.S. Army, where he attained the rank of Sargent. The government was so impressed with Gil that they recruited him for intelligence work. He was a special agent for the U.S. Department of Defense until 1961. He then continued as an instructor for special courses in military intelligence until June of 2012.

Gil began his working career as just a youngster in the neighborhood ice cream parlor, Peter Pan. In 1952, while still in high School, he began working for his mentor, Chet Maxwell of the Maxwell Organization. After his military service, he was asked by Chet to return to Maxwell Camera Shops where he remained until 1982. Gil along with Tom Hackbarth, were co-owners of C. Maxwell Associates Properties. From 1986 until 2000, Gil was an independent insurance agent for Dave Kohel Agency, Inc.

From 1961 to 1964 and 1967 to 1969, Gil was a member of the Kenosha City Council, from 1965 to 1970 the Kenosha Parking Commission, 1970 to 1974 Kenosha Transit Commission, 1972 to 1976, Manager at the Kenosha Bus System, and from 1980 to 1984 the Kenosha Police and Fire Commission. In 1982, Gil proudly was elected as the first Kenosha County Executive.

Gil was active in the Kenosha Rotary Club since 1965, and had served as the Past President and Club Secretary for 39 years.

He had a fondness for motorcycles and since his early high school days, he began active competition in dirt track events. After his return from military service, he promoted races and was an official for the AMA (American Motorcyclist Association). This led to over 40 years of some 28 weeks a season flying trips from coast to coast, including some overseas events.

Gil will be remembered for his political ideas, photography and love of being a Rotarian.

He is survived by his two brothers, Kenneth (Jina) Dosemagen and Jerry (Gail Ann) Dosemagen, both of Kenosha; his two sisters, Jean Ruben of Pleasant Prairie and Mariel Ann Raechal of Racine; and many, many loving nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Thomas H. Dosemagen.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on August 10, 2012 at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church.  Interment with full military honors followed in Sunset Ridge Memorial Park.