Charles Schoenwetter

Fitchburg-Dr. Charles Douglas Schoenwetter, Emeritus Professor of Pediatrics at University of Wisconsin-Madison, died May 1, 2012, surrounded by his loving family.

Chuck was born March 3, 1931, in Lowell, Wisconsin, the son of Oscar and Alice (Wescott) Schoenwetter and was the second of their two children. He grew up in Lowell and Milwaukee.

He graduated from Rufus King high school as class valedictorian, the University of Wisconsin-Madison (cum laude), and its medical school in 1957. Chuck was proud that he was the first pediatric resident at Madison General Hospital. It was while he was in medical school that he met Ruth Meier while singing in the choir at Memorial United Church of Christ. They were married in 1955, and made their home in Madison.

Chuck was a pediatrician in private practice at Associated Physicians in Madison from 1960 - 1970. True to his genuine love of children, he moved his family to Washington, DC, to undertake a fellowship in developmental neurology. The family returned to Madison after completion of his fellowship, and Chuck became the Director of the Learning and Behavior Clinic at the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics. He helped children throughout the state reach their full potential based on his wholehearted belief that each child possesses special talents. During this time, he served on countless committees that enriched the lives of children, including the governor's task force that resulted in the mainstreaming of children with special needs into the public schools.

He was a member of the Wisconsin State Medical Society, Dane County Medical Society and the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Chuck was a talented wood worker, avid reader, devoted baseball fan and cook. He loved pre-war popular music and he sang and played trumpet in dance bands as a young man. He loved the outdoors, water birds, and the family cabin in Door County. He was a life-long member of his denomination and served a medical mission for the United Church of Christ in Honduras. He was dedicated to Memorial United Church of Christ, particularly in his care for the sick and suffering. The church also loved and supported him. Chuck was devoted to his family and friends and enjoyed the company of everyone he met. He was loving and kind and was respected by everyone who knew him.

Chuck is survived by his wife of 56 years, Ruth Meier Schoenwetter; children Lisa Schoenwetter (Kelsy Schoenhaar) of Fitchburg, Wisconsin and Kurt (Cindy) Schoenwetter and his beloved grandson Adam all of Mount Horeb, Wisconsin and Paula (Brian) Wermich of Waunakee and their children Matt and Steph. He is further survived by his sister-in-law Marilyn Noesen, nephew Alan (Lynn) Schoenwetter, nieces Lynn Winter and Ann Schoenwetter, and his 99 year-old aunt, Mildred Schoenwetter.

He was preceded in death by his brother Warren, his parents Oscar and Alice Schoenwetter and his dear friend James (Mary Ellen) Tetzlaff.

Memorials may be made to Memorial United Church, 5705 Lacy Rd., Fitchburg, Wisconsin. Chuck's family would like to thank the staff of Agrace Hospice in Fitchburg for their loving care of Chuck for the last 5 months of his life.