The following article was posted on www.jsonline.com
Year marked the passing of many state heroes, icons
Notable figures in civil rights, politics, arts helped shape area and national history
Posted: Dec. 29, 2008
Gone but not forgotten.
This year saw the deaths of Wisconsin people known for politics and business, civil rights and civic efforts.
One of the best known state residents was the man with the red vest, former Gov. Lee Sherman Dreyfus. He launched a most unlikely and unorthodox campaign for public office - his first political race - traveling the state in an old bus decked out like a train locomotive.
He won and made state history.
Jeannetta L. Simpson-Robinson was a founder of Career Youth Development, serving as its executive director. Her agency and her life were about advocacy for the victims of poverty and violence.
In the world of business, Bill Leinenkugel grew the little family brewery far beyond its traditional territory. Richard A. Burke became founder of the Trek Bicycle Corp.
Eugene Freedman created the Precious Moments line of teardrop-eyed figures. E. Gary Gygax was co-creator of "Dungeons & Dragons."
And if people didn't know the name Bob Kames, they knew his song.
Milwaukee music man Kames adapted an old-world tune into "The Chicken Dance," which became a bestseller and a staple at countless weddings.
"This stupid little thing, it's infectious," Kames once said. "You get a song like this once in a lifetime."
While no list can include all of the interesting and important people here, we offer the following as some of those missed in 2008.
Jennifer Bukosky, 39, associate principal at Oconomowoc High School. Bukosky was killed April 25 by a former physician, now charged with intoxicated homicide. An unborn daughter called Sophia and daughter Courtney Bella, 10, were also killed in the crash.
