Obituary – WPVGA Hall of Famer John Schoenemann Passes Away

As an extension vegetable crops specialist and researcher with a joint appointment in horticulture and agricultural economics, John specialized in potatoes, developing a production and management program for growing the Russet Burbank variety successfully in Wisconsin. This later became the leading variety grown in the state and fostered the growth of the potato processing industry in Wisconsin.

John was a member of professional societies including the American Society for Horticultural Science, the Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, and the Potato Association of America. He served as a director and a term as president of the Potato Association of America. That organization awarded him honorary life membership in 1985. To the potato industry in Wisconsin he was regarded as “Mr. Potato” at his retirement, after 36 years with UW—Madison. His colleagues have referred to him as the consummate mentor, helping to shape the careers of a generation of extension specialists and researchers.

John enjoyed his long period of retirement doing some consulting work, traveling in the US and Europe, building and rebuilding his model train layout, and spending many days with his wife Fay at their farm in Iowa County. John enjoyed his garden, growing prize tomatoes which he distributed to many neighbors and friends each season.

John was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Mildred Knappe (Herman) of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and his wife Fay. He is survived by sons Mark (Nancy) of Leavenworth, KS, and Erik (Bette) of Soldiers Grove, WI, and grandchildren Nicholas and Caitlin.

Funeral arrangements and services will be private.