San W. Orr Jr.

1941 - 2014

Orr, San W., Jr. San W. Orr, Jr., of Woodruff, Wisconsin, and Village of Golf, Florida, died September 30, 2014, at his home in Lake Tomahawk, Wisconsin, at the age of 73. He was born in Madison, Wisconsin, in 1941 to San and Eleanor Orr. He received his B.B.A. with High Honors from the University of Wisconsin in 1963 and his J.D. from the University's Law School in 1966, where he served as Editor-in-Chief of the Law Review. In addition to earning his law degree, San was also a Certified Public Accountant. He married Joanne Ruby on June 26, 1965 in Madison, Wisconsin. After graduating from law school, San and Joanne moved to Wausau, Wisconsin, where he led the Woodson Family Office for 46 years. He was involved with numerous companies over his career, notably serving as Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Wausau Mosinee Paper Corporation (now Wausau Paper) and Marathon Electric Manufacturing Corporation. He also served as a Director for M&I Corporation, Longview Fibre Company, Yawkey Lumber Company, Masonite Corporation, MDU Resources and Wausau Insurance Companies. In addition to his professional activities, San was very active in a number of civic organizations in Wisconsin. He served as President of the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents, Chairman of both the University of Wisconsin Foundation and its Hospital and Clinic system, and Chairman of the University's School of Business Board of Visitors. In Wausau, San served as President and Director of the Woodson YMCA Foundation for many years as well as a Director of The Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum. A lifetime of volunteer work and philanthropy earned him the Governor's Award In Support of the Arts. As he approached retirement, San enjoyed serving as a Director of The Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation. Most recently, one of his favorite activities was playing golf at Gulf Stream Golf Club in Florida. He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Joanne, and two children San W. Orr, III (Lake Forest, Illinois) and Nancy C. Orr (Rochester, Minnesota). A private memorial service will be held in Madison, Wisconsin, at a later date. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to the Woodson YMCA Foundation (707 Third Street, Wausau, WI 54403) or the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum (700 N. Twelfth Street, Wausau, WI 54403).