Emery Bainbridge

Madison - Emery Charles Bainbridge, age 104, passed away on Saturday, March 24, 2012, at Wynwood in Madison. He was born on November 22, 1907 in Mifflin, Wisconsin, the son of Charles M. and Emma (Miller) Bainbridge, who preceded him in death. He married the former Lenore E. Schultz of Ripon, Wisconsin.

Emery graduated from Platteville Normal School in 1927 where he received his high school education and teaching certification. He served as teacher and administrator in Wisconsin schools in Gleason, Mifflin and McFarland where he later served on the Board of Education at McFarland Jr. High School for eight years. He and the McFarland students were honored in 1941 for their participation in the war effort by collecting huge amounts of scrap iron and milk weed pods (Kapok) for use in flotation during World War II. He was a Boy Scout leader and a basketball coach.

Emery Studied at the University of Wisconsin and in 1933 received a B.A. degree in Zoology. He earned his Master's degree in School Administration in 1941. He taught in the Science Department at East High School and left in two years to become principal of Emerson Elementary School where he served for eight years.

In 1955 he assumed the principalship of the new Cherokee Elementary and Jr. High School, which was still under construction. He had the responsibility of organizing the new school, purchasing needed equipment, selecting staff, and building new working relationships. After fifteen years, Cherokee became a Middle School and he left at his request to finish out the few years at Odana School before his retirement in 1973. During his years at Cherokee he directed vocational and recreational programs for the Madison Vocational School.

Emery was a member of Midvale Community Lutheran Church. He was a 82 year member of the Masonic Lodge, No.1 Mineral Point, and also belonged to the Madison Consistory as a 32nd degree Mason. He was installed in the DeMolay Legion of Honor in 1974. He was awarded a Grand Master's Century certificate of membership in the Masonic Lodge in 2009. He was an active member of the Dane County Conservation League and of the Yahara Fisherman's Club. As an avid sportsman, he enjoyed fishing and hunting and all competitive sports. His special interests were vegetable and flower gardening. He enjoyed a long happy retirement with his many hobbies, friends and family. He was a remarkable and highly respected person, husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather.

He is survived by his daughter, Deirdre "Debbie" E. (James) Nalven of Denver, Colorado; a son, Thomas M. (Jane) Bainbridge of Hurley, WI; four grandchildren, Dru L. (Mary K. Smith) Hofsteen, Clay (Jennifer Morris) Hofsteen, Thaddeus M. Bainbridge and Tasha L. (Michael) Bremel; four great-grandchildren, Corbin and Emery Hofsteen-Smith and twins, Madeline and Abigail Bremel. One hundred and fifty of Emery's family and friends and Bucky Badger gathered in his home in Madison on November 22, 2007 to celebrate his 100th birthday. At age 100 Emery decided that it was time to sell his house and live with others in a more social setting. He spent his enjoyable last four years in the loving care of The Wynwood Assisted Living Care Facility in Madison.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife Lenore, and his sister, Lois and her husband, Harry Turner.

Funeral services will be held at MIDVALE COMMUNITY LUTHERAN CHURCH, 4329 Tokay Boulevard., Madison, on Friday, March 30, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Bruce Loewenhagen officiating. Burial will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park in Monona. A visitation will be held at church on Friday from 10:00 a.m. until time of service.

Memorials may be sent to Midvale Community Lutheran Church, Agrace HospiceCare Inc. 5395 E. Cheryl Parkway, Madison, WI 53711 and Masonic Learning Center for Children, 301 Wisconsin Ave, Madison, WI 53703.