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Dale Guldan Obituary
Guldan was exercising in his basement when he suffered the heart attack Friday, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel said.
His photos earned dozens of awards, including four consecutive honors as the Wisconsin News Photographer of the Year in the 1980s.
Guldan started in 1977 at The Milwaukee Journal, which later merged with the Milwaukee Sentinel to form the Journal Sentinel.
His assignments took him around the world. He toured Israel with a group led by ex-Green Bay Packer Reggie White, focused on Russians after the breakup of the Soviet Union and joined volunteers helping tsunami victims in Sri Lanka earlier this year.
Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press
8 Entries
Mike McCowen
May 14, 2005
I met Dale when he moved to New Berlin--sixth grade, I think. We remained friends through high school, and shared a budding interest in photography from about the same time. We spent many hours together in the NBHS photo lab, and shared assignments for the school paper and yearbook. But it was clear, early on, that Dale's interest was anything but casual, and I knew he would someday become a professional photographer. I have always been thrilled to see his works in print, and am proud to say I worked with him and learned from him. Today, having learned of his passing, I feel even more inspired by his career. Now when I venture forth (with my new digital camera!), I will be asking myself, once again, "What would Dale do here?" His spirit and his passion live on in his work--a legacy unmatched by most of us, whose life work leaves less visible records than Dale's has. Nobody can take Dale's place, but I am dedicated to create my own legacy, guided by my old friend's powerful inspiration.
Jim Tenorio
May 12, 2005
While in Milwaukee this past weekend visiting members of my family, I was deeply saddened to hear of Dale’s death.
I have thought of Dale often since we graduated from high school over thirty years ago. I would spend time as Dale's "assistant" in the school's darkroom. My own passion was, and still is, print communications. I remember printing Dale's photos in the school newspaper. Because we lived in the same neighborhood, Dale and I would sometimes share rides to and from school. We would sometimes stop along the way home as something caught Dale's eye as a good subject for a picture. My observations of his talent and technique for composing and creating photos planted a seed. It gave me a basic appreciation and understanding of creating scenes and images. That basic understanding has helped me prepare for and obtain my position as a professor in the Graphic Communications Management Program at the University of Wisconsin-Stout. To this day, I still have a clipping from the Milwaukee Journal. It is a photo that Dale submitted to the Journal, perhaps his first published there, while we were still in high school. The April 8, 1970 photo of his brother walking across a rustic bridge in Whitnall Park was a preview of great things to come.
But Dale's influence goes far far beyond enabling this printing teacher to help his students create pleasing images. Whenever I would pick up a Journal Sentinel I would look for his photos. One of his last was in Saturday's paper. I will miss seeing them. The incredible scope of the subjects and images he created has informed, entertained, inspired and influenced thousands of persons. His interests and commitment to helping others showed not only in his work, but in his actions. Participating in medical and relief missions in far parts of the world, he lent the talents of his hands to assist others and the talents of his craft to bring their stories back to the people of Wisconsin.
Not only did the Journal Sentinel lose a Master Contributor from its staff, but the entire state, as well as the photography profession, will miss the way Dale enriched our lives. His photographs will remain as a testament to his work and his good works.
Kathy Schwei
May 11, 2005
We knew Dale through our sons' Boy Scout troop. Although our troop was enriched by Dale's abilities with a camera, the troop was even more enriched by Dale's abilities as a father. It was evident he loved his family very much and was very proud of Sam and Sarah. He will be missed by many, many people.
Lynn Isely
May 10, 2005
I was truly saddened by Dale's ceath. I had Dale in English class at New Berlin High School and have followed his career with a great deal of interest. I remember Dale was a member of the Photo Club at school and took pictures for the yearbook and school newspaper. I also recall a photo story he did on his two young children a number of years ago. After reading that article, I wrote him a note telling him how much I enjoyed his work. I was also thrilled that he had so many wonderful opportunities in his lifetime because of his photography. He really, in my opinion, raised the photo standards for the Journal. I'll miss his photos, his insights, and the humanity obvious in his photos.
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Ann and Jack Shepherd
May 10, 2005
Dale waw truly an artist with his camera. We always looked for his photos in the newspaper. But his place in his family was also a grace to each one. And he will be keenly missed. Angels be about them all.
Dave Sobczak
May 10, 2005
I grew up with Dale as a friend, went through grade school & high school with him. He will be missed as a friend and artist by me and countless others that appreciated his great humor, uplifting sprit and an eye for those special moments in photography that impressed many. A great loss!
Terry Backmann
May 10, 2005
I was sorry to hear of Dale's untimely passing. I enjoyed working with him and admired his skill as a photographer and his kind way of dealing with his subjects. He will be greatly missed.
John Watson
May 10, 2005
Dale was foremost a great guy, but also agreat photographer and I am grateful to have known him.
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