Kenneth P. Adler, Sr.

Kenneth P. Adler Sr., age 85, passed away on Sunday June 1, 2025 at Agrace HospiceCare in Fitchburg. Ken was born in Madison to Sylvester E. and Minnie C. (Gilbertson) Adler in February 1940 and was raised in Waunakee, a really great place to grow up. He graduated St. John Grade School, spent his freshman year of high school at St. Francis Seminary in Milwaukee, then after deciding that the priesthood was not for him, graduated from Waunakee High School, and later the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Ken totally enjoyed his high school years, and was especially active in music, sports, and student government. In instrumental music he played the tenor saxophone in six bands, and in vocal music sang with the school chorus and with the male quartet, which won top honors at the State Contest in the highest category of music. In sports, football was his favorite, where was named to the Tri-County All Star Football Team. In student government, he served as the President of the school’s Student Council as a Junior, and as the President of his Senior Class.

Ken met the love of his life, Mary, at an Edgewood College Dance in January 1960. They were married two years later and then welcomed their son, Ken Jr. several years later.

Ken joined Wisconsin state service in 1964. He worked as a statistician for the UW Madison Registrar's Office and then moved into Computer Services, working as a computer programmer, systems analyst, and information systems manager/IT Director at University Hospital, the Department of Public Instruction, the former Department of Health and Social Services, the State Higher Education Aids Board, and the Wisconsin Supreme Court/Court of Appeals. He also taught two courses, COBOL Programming and Computer Concepts in the evening program at Madison College and was particularly gratified when former students would show up on his future staffs and perform exceptionally well.

Ken believed strongly in the benefits of information technology professionals sharing technology experiences to avoid duplication of effort. He was very active in the Data Processing Management Association, serving four terms as the Chair of various committees and two terms as the chapter president. He also organized a group he called ITEX, the Information Technology Executives Exchange, for the top IT professionals in public and private organizations to get together to share their issues and successes with various vendors, hardware, and software products and management approaches.

In his leisure time Ken enjoyed camping with family and friends, especially along the Mississippi River and at Peninsula State Park in Door County. He also enjoyed trips to various parts of the United States planned by his wife Mary, and spending many winter vacations in Charleston, South Carolina and Naples Florida.

Ken is survived by his wife Mary, son Ken Jr., and a brother Steve, all of Madison. He was preceded in death by his parents and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

The family wishes to thank Ken’s many UWHealth medical providers, as well as staff at All Saints and Agrace, for the thoughtful and compassionate care provided to Ken through the course of his illness.

A private funeral service will be held.

“Do not stand at my grave and weep

I am not there. I do not sleep. 

I am a thousand winds that blow. 

I am the diamond glint on snow. 

I am the sunlight on ripened grain. 

I am the gentle autumn rain. 

I am the swift uplifting rush of quiet birds circling flight. 

I am the starlight at night. 

Do not stand at my grave and weep; 

I am not there. I do not sleep.”

Please share your memories of Ken by posting in his Guestbook.

Cress Center

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