Archie Simonson

Madison - Archie E. Simonson, passed away on Friday, June 15, 2018 at Attic Angel Place. He was born December 25, 1924 in Baraboo, WI. In 1928 his family moved to Richmond, IN. He graduated from Richmond High School in 1943, where he participated in football, track and fencing. He was drafted into the military in 1943 with service in New Guinea. Upon discharge, he moved back to Wisconsin. He attended the University of Wisconsin earning his Bachelor's Degree in Business in 1950 and his Law Degree in 1952. He earned three varsity letters in fencing, and was Captain his senior year.

Archie married while he was still in law school. He was appointed UW Head Fencing Coach, a position he held while still practicing law for twenty-one years. He compiled a 195-121 record (.617 winning percentage) against national competition. His team won Big Ten Championships in 1955, 1957, 1959 and 1967. Twelve of his fencers won conference titles, and thirteen of his fencers earned All-American honors. In 1952 his team was awarded the NCAA third place trophy, a mere five points behind the National Champions. In 1965 Archie was accredited as a fencing Master by the International Academy of Arms. In 1972, Archie retired from coaching because he was elected a Dane County judge.

Archie served national sports organizations in many ways. In 1971, he served on the committee reorganizing the NCAA. For several years, he was Vice-Chairman of the US Olympic Games Committee for Fencing. Archie was chairman of the US Collegiate Sports Council Games Committee. In 1973, Archie served on the Committee for Better Olympics which was organized for the purpose of reorganizing the US Olympic Committee.

In 1994, Archie founded and organized Bucky's Ambassadors, a group of volunteers to assist the UW Athletic Department.

Archie retired from his law practice as of January 1, 2000.

In 1969, Archie became a Master Mason and later became a member of Zor Shriners located in Madison, Wisconsin. Archie joined two parade units, the Pipes and Drums and the Marching Patrol. He also served several years on Zor's Board of Trustees, being its Chairman for five years. Archie also has served on many Wisconsin Masonic Grand Lodge committees, and in 2001 was given the Meritorious Masonic Service Award for his contributions to Masonry.

In 2000, Archie was elected to the Wisconsin Shrine Bowl Board of Directors. The Board selected him to be the General Chairman of the Shrine Bowl All-Star football game. This game is sponsored by the three Shrine organizations of Beja (Green Bay), Tripoli (Milwaukee) and Zor (Madison) as well as the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association.

Archie married Edel-Lore Schultz in April 1949. They have four children, Sonja, Carla (Tom), Lisa (Will) and Eric; six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

A visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 24, 2018 at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 3610 Speedway Road, with a Masonic Service beginning at 3:30 p.m. A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, June 25, 2018 at LUTHER MEMORIAL CHURCH, 1021 University Avenue, Madison, with Pastor John Worzala-Dumke presiding.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested in Archie's name to Shriners Hospitals for Children, 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33607; Luther Memorial Church, 1021 University Ave, Madison, WI 53715; Agrace HospiceCare, 5395 E. Cheryl Parkway, Madison, WI 53711; and Attic Angels Association, 640 Junction Road, Madison, WI 53717.

Thank you to the staff of Attic Angels, for their wonderful compassion and care; and to Agrace HospiceCare for their loving support and care of Archie.


Cress Funeral & Cremation Service
3610 Speedway Road, Madison
608-238-3434