Dr. Roy H. Voelz, Milwaukee area dentist and string bassist, was born and died at home (July 28, 1918 – Sept. 18, 2014). He was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Nancy J. Dickerman. They were long time residents of Wauwatosa (1948) and Lake Beulah (1965).  He is survived by son Jeff Voelz, daughter Susan Voelz and granddaughter Jaime Leaman Voelz.  He is “Papa Roy” to Caitlyn Berz Frazee (Alex), Haley and Kelsey Berz, Emily and Nicholas Kopp. 

Born near 14th & Ring, he grew up at 39th & Burleigh, graduating from the great Washington High School. As a boy he spent his summers on the family farm in Tilleda, WI. Summers of 1937-39, he worked at Storck Brewery in Slinger, earning 40 cents an hour, saving enough to purchase his first string bass. He graduated from Milwaukee State Teacher’s College (UWM) in 1941 – with a Music and Economics Major and a History Minor.  He and his future wife were stand partners in the clarinet section of the band.

He served in the U.S. Navy 1941 - 1945.  It can be revealed now that on Pearl Harbor day he was AWOL from Great Lakes Naval Base visiting Nancy and had to make his way back onto the base inside the trunk of a car. After the war, he played string bass with the best big band groups of the era. He was proud to have met Duke Ellington at the Riverside in 1946 and loved to say: “Would you like to shake the hand that shook the hand?” 

He graduated Marquette University School of Dentistry under the GI bill in 1953 and built his dental office near 76th & Bluemound, complete with a fish tank in the reception area. Walking to work every day he eventually logged as many miles as the earth’s equator – 25,000 miles. Retired in 1994, he and Nancy enjoyed the Clearing in Door County and canoeing on the Fox River. Nancy passed away in 2010.  “You say ’til death do you part’ but you never really believe that day will come. She was such a dear person, wife and mother.” 

The family wishes to thank his individual care-givers from Home Instead who were so kind and helpful. Recently he remarked  “It was a good life, kind of tough, but I would not have wanted to miss it, and my many good friends, for the world.” He also suggests if memorially-minded, consider Marquette University School of Dentistry or possibly taking a friend out to lunch to discuss how wonderful it is to be alive. 

Visitation Sunday, September 21 from 12:00noon until time of Service at 1:00pm at the Funeral Home. Interment will take place at the German Settlement Cemetery in Burlington, WI