Warren Howard Podolske passed away in the early morning of July 7th,2019 at the age of 92. He was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Ruby (Gronzo) Podolske, his wife, Kathryn (Mauer) Podolske and one daughter, Mary Ann Podolske. Warren is survived by his children, Betty Jane (Albert) Parrott, James Podolske and David (Lanore) Podolske, sister, Betty Ruth Podolske, grandchildren, Darlene (Rodney) Brown, Sharlene Parrott, Benjamin Podolske, Elayne Podolske and Jeremy Podolske and great-grandchildren, Blake and Carmen Brown. Also survived by relations and friends.
Warren was born on March 26,1927 to Arthur and Ruby Podolske. Along with his twin sister, Betty Ruth. At the time they were living on Center Street in Milwaukee and the sheet metal business, Milwaukee Metal Products Company, was run out of the garage.
Warren grew up swimming, sailing, planning fireworks shows, boating, and working in the shop.
He went into the Navy during the end of WWII in 1945 and studied radio and radar. He had a lifelong love of electronics and electrics.
Warren met his late wife, Katie, in high school and they were married on June 25th, 1949. They lived first in Whitefish Bay and then moved to Mequon in 1957.
He went to UW Madison for several years pursuing an Electrical Engineering degree but ended up working for the family metal fabricating business for his career. Warren always had ideas for new products and better ways of doing things. The barrel crushers were developed by him in the 1960s and are a design that is still being produced today. Ultimately, He retired as President in 2003.
Warren was a member of the First Church of Christ Scientists. He was a brother of the Henry L Palmer Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Masons.
Warren was a lifelong member of the NRA. He shot trap at the Milwaukee Gun Club and target pistol at Daniel Boone. He liked the challenge of accurate shooting but was never a hunter.
He trained for and got his private pilot’s license in 1968 which he maintained for many years.
Warren started riding motorcycles in 1967and would ride 50 to 100 miles at night to relax. He also went to California to ride Highway 1 along the coast. Later he had Ford Mustangs that he drove for relaxation (and to be the first off, the line).
He really liked warm weather (it was never to warm for him) and visited the Hawaii, the Caribbean (Trinidad Tobago) and South Florida with his wife, Katie.
Warren had a lifelong love of sailing and got a captain’s license in 1981. He raced twice a week for many years out of South Shore Yacht club. He traveled to the south seas several times for sailing trips visiting various islands in the tropics.
Warren lost the love of his life, Kathryn, in 2002 after a long illness.
He enjoyed visits with his children and grandchildren (and great-grandchildren). He especially enjoyed the 4th of July fireworks shot off at family picnics.
Warren moved to Elizabeth Residence in 2018 when managing alone at home became too much of a burden.
He was always thoughtful of others, kind and loving – Warren will be missed by many.
A celebration of Warren's life will be held on Thursday, July 18, 2019 at Schmidt and Bartelt Funeral Home, 10280 N. Port Washington Road, Mequon, WI 53092 with visitation from 2 pm to 6 pm and service at 6 pm. Private family interment will be at Wisconsin Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, donations to the charity of your choice would be appreciated.
