Omar Kussow

MADISON - Omar Nowell Kussow, age 91, died at home in Madison on Saturday, May 16, 2015. After living with Multiple Sclerosis for 70 years, Omar succumbed to its complications. His family attributes his long life to his positive attitude and his smile.

Omar was born in Fond du Lac, WI, on Nov. 6, 1923, the son of Omar John and Rose Nowell Kussow. He graduated from Fond du Lac High School in 1941. His studies at the UW-Madison were interrupted by World War II when he was drafted into the Army and then completed his training in the Coastal Artillery in Texas. He was chosen for the Army Specialized Training Program (ASTP) and studied at Texas A&M, Syracuse Univ., and the Univ. of Illinois before ASTP was disbanded and its students were sent to active Infantry duty. Omar was shipped to Normandy, France, in June 1944, where he joined the 413th regiment of the 104th Division, the Timberwolves. He traveled with the Timberwolves through parts of France, Belgium, and into Holland, where he was severely wounded in battle by an artillery shell on Oct. 26, 1944.

After 9 months of hospitalization, Omar was able to resume his studies at UW-Madison, majoring in American Institutions. He had planned to go into pre-law, but after having the experience of working with young draftees who were functionally illiterate, he knew he loved to teach and decided that education should be his field.

On June 22, 1946, Omar married Zolitta Lamb, also of Fond du Lac, his high school sweetheart to whom he had been engaged since New Year's Eve 1943. He received his BS in education in 1948 and began his first teaching position in Lancaster, WI, where he taught high school social studies for 5 years. While there, he was active in Masonic organizations, served on the vestry of the Episcopal Church, was leader of a senior Boy Scout troop, and acted as president of the Lancaster Education Association. Omar and Zo's two oldest children, Barbara and Curt, entered the world during this time. During the summers, Omar worked toward a Masters in history and education at UW-Madison, which he completed in 1953. He did much of his work under Fred Harvey Harrington, who was later to become president of the UW.

The family moved to Madison in 1953 when Omar joined the staff of Madison East High School. He taught at East High for 10 years, meanwhile adding two daughters, Mary and Carol, to the family. Next he went to Madison La Follette High School to be chairman of the social studies department for 5 years. He then became the curriculum coordinator of Social Studies, K-12, for the Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD), and was based in the Central Office, while traveling to all the Madison schools. At the same time, he worked with the State Superintendent of Public Instruction to develop a model of human relations to be used throughout the state. Due to MMSD's changing student demographics and budget constraints, Omar's responsibilities and titles changed, culminating in his being part of a three-coordinator team for all curricula in the Madison East and La Follette attendance areas. He continued his pursuit of further education in history and education working toward a Ph.D. at UW-Madison. In 1984, Multiple Sclerosis, which was contracted as a result of his WWII wounds, forced Omar to retire from teaching after thirty-four years with MMSD.

Omar was active in many fields. He was president of the Madison Education Association (now MTI); president of the Wisconsin Council for the Social Studies; chairman for 2 terms of the State Advisory Title III Council, which entailed numerous meetings in Washington, D.C. and elsewhere. He was a John Hay Fellow at Bennington College, Vermont, in the summer of 1964. In the 1960's and 1970's he participated in a number of seminars at Royalton College (Vermont), Georgetown University (Washington, D.C.), Wingspread (Racine, WI), and at the Department of State during the Vietnam War. He received awards from the Wisconsin Council for Social Studies and from the National Council for Geographic Education Achievement. Omar was a past member of Madison East Rotary and the Madison History Roundtable; past Commanding General of Madison Civil War Roundtable; past vestryman at Grace Episcopal Church; member of Madison Area Peace Action Council (MAPAC) and other peace movements during the Vietnam War. He was a life member of Paralyzed Veterans of America and of Disabled American Veterans, as well as a member of the National Timberwolf Pups Association, of the Multiple Sclerosis Society, and of Phi Delta Kappa (honorary education fraternity). Dear to his heart was a group of close friends known as the Discussion Group, which met nearly every month for over 50 years. After their children were grown, Omar and Zo traveled frequently, especially to Great Britain and Northern Europe, to the Caribbean Islands, Hawaii and other parts of the US. They enjoyed and made new friends during 16 winters in Florida, from 1988 to 2002, before returning permanently to their home in Madison.

Omar's family gives thanks and much love to his wonderful caregivers, social workers, nurses and doctors who all touched his life and made it possible for him to remain at home. Special thanks go to his daughter Carol, who was his primary caregiver since 2002 and tended to his beloved garden. Omar was always very appreciative of the great support and services he received from the local Veterans Administration.

Omar was preceded in death by his wife, Zo, who died in 2013. He is survived by his children, Barbara (A.T.) Barr of Nicholasville, Kentucky, Curtis Kussow of Madison, Mary Brewer of Madison, and Carol Kussow of Sun Prairie; and by his grandchildren, Jaden Walker of San Francisco, Matt Kussow of Madison, Jon Kussow of Madison, Jenny Bartus of Sun Prairie, Kevin Brewer of Madison, and Diana Brewer of San Mateo, CA.

At Omar's request, there will be no services. His family asks that, in lieu of other expressions of sympathy, memorials be made in his name to Wisconsin Paralyzed Veterans Association, 2311 South 108th Street, West Allis, WI 53227; or in the name of Omar Kussow (for Research) to the Wisconsin Multiple Sclerosis Society, 1120 James Dr., Suite A, Hartland, WI 53029, or go to the Omar N. Kussow Memorial MS Research Fund website at http://main.nationalmssociety.org/goto/Omar_Kussow. Omar donated his brain tissue for further study related to Multiple Sclerosis. His ashes will become part of Planet Earth.

Cress Funeral & Cremation Service
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608-238-3434
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