John Harry Sproule

Sproule, John Harry, LT USN Ret. 87, of Oconomowoc Lake, WI, passed away August 20, 2014. John graduated from Milwaukee Country Day School, then enlisted in the U.S. Navy during World War II. After discharge, he earned a Bachelor of Engineering from Yale University and attended the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. While at Yale, John was active in WYBC Yale Radio, and developed a lifelong interest in broadcast engineering. Called back to duty for the Korean War, John served as a commissioned officer and navigator aboard the USS Taussig. In 1951, he married Barbara Ann Hickey of Darien, CT, at the Royal Presidio Chapel in Monterey, CA. A civil engineer by profession, he returned to Milwaukee and worked his entire career in senior management for Rexnord Corporation and its subsidiary, Envirex Inc., Waukesha, WI. He served as a Director of Associated Bank, Green Bay, WI. He was elected President of the Village of Chenequa, WI, as well as to the school boards of Madison, IN and Nashotah, WI. He was a member of Rotary International (Waukesha, WI), The National Association of Destroyer Veterans (Tin Can Sailors), The Antique and Classic Boat Society (Great Lakes Chapter) and served as President of the Board that raced the unlimited hydroplane "Miss Madison U-6" owned by the City of Madison, IN. John is survived by his wife, Barbara, his children, John, Robert, Susan and Michael, his 7 grandchildren and 6 great - grandchildren. Visitation will be held at the Schmidt & Bartelt funeral home, Oconomowoc, WI, from 5 to 6 PM on Monday, August 25. There will be a memorial service immediately thereafter. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in John's name to KNOM Radio Mission, P.O. Box 988, Nome, AK 99762.