Paul Peercy

Madison, WI - Paul Stuart Peercy, 75, of Madison passed away peacefully October 20, 2016, at Agrace HospiceCare in Fitchburg after a lengthy illness.

Paul was born November 26, 1940, in Monticello, Kentucky, the third of six children of Robert and Ernest (Bell) Peercy. Raised on a farm, Paul graduated from Berea College in Kentucky and received his MS and PhD in physics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Paul was a researcher, manager, leader, educator, and loving husband, father, and grandfather. Paul married Cathy Christen of Dodgeville in 1965. His career took him to Bell Labs in New Jersey before 27 years at Sandia Laboratories in Albuquerque, where he and Cathy raised sons Michael and Mark. In 1995 Paul became president of the semiconductor manufacturing supplier consortium SEMI/SEMATECH in Austin, Texas. Paul returned to Madison in 1999 as the Dean of the College of Engineering at the University of Wisconsin, retiring from that position with Emeritus Status in 2013.

Paul served as member and officer in numerous science, engineering, and educational organizations. Paul was a Member of the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) and a Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), the American Physical Society (APS), the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), and the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE).

A well-respected advisor, Paul served on the Board of Directors of Bemis Company, Inc., Sonic Foundry, Inc., Mason Wells, Meriter Hospital, and Thrive. Devoted to service, he also held many positions of leadership in the churches he attended.

Paul is survived by his wife Cathy, children Michael (Suzanne Kuo) and Mark (Shellie), grandchildren Nathan, Brendan, Aaron, Kevin, and Jaden, his brothers Bob (Wilma) and Larry (Sharlett), his sisters Barbara (Raymond) and Betty, his brother-in-law Jerry Congleton, and his sister-in-law Carolyn Christen. He was preceded in death by his parents, mother-in-law Helen, sister Virginia, brothers-in-law Rick Givan, Roger Christen, and Roland Christen, and sister-in-law Connie Christen.

A private burial will be held at Bethlehem Lutheran Cemetery outside Dodgeville. A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, November 7, 2016 at GOOD SHEPHERD LUTHERAN CHURCH, 5701 Raymond Road, Madison with Pastor Chris Enstad presiding. A visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service at church.

In lieu of flowers, gifts to Agrace HospiceCare, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, the Peercy Undergraduate Tutoring Scholarship (UW Foundation), or a charity of your choice would be appreciated.

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