Lee Robert Polacheck

Polacheck, Lee Robert December 14, 1929- February 28, 2011 Lee left Wisconsin to snowbird in Arizona. On November 4, after just three nights in his new residence, he fell, endured three surgeries, but worked in rehab for four months so he would be strong and return home. He lost that battle on February 28, when God chose to bring him to a different home, the home he always prayed would be his. After earning his masters degree from Marquette University as a member of Alpha Sigma Nu, the Jesuit honorary society, he began his professional career at the Allied Construction Employer's Association as its Executive Director. He was instrumental in the development of the unique Building Trades United Trust Fund, which encompassed a majority of the building trades in metro-Milwaukee. From this experience (as one of the founding fathers and as its first Executive Vice President) came his involvement and leadership in the formation of an educational organization that became today's International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans. In his 28 years of leadership, Lee grew the organization to more than 27,000 Canadian and U.S. individual members. After retirement, he was elected to the governing Board of the Village of Greendale, earning recognition by leading opposition to a proposed street widening project, which would have robbed his neighborhood of canopies of trees over the residential streets. His dedication to "Save the Trees" preceded the current environmental focus. In his later years, he returned to the educational field, but this time not as a director or "mover/ shaker," but as a substitute teacher. He loved being in the classroom. He walked playground duty and bought a whistle so he could get the children's attention. Known for baking "Cowboy Cookies" he brought them to his younger classes and told them that if they were good students, there would be a cookie reward at the end of the day. Lee is survived by his wife Dianne and their nine children: Mary Mead, Gregory Polacheck, Joseph Polacheck, Jane Faella, Lee Polacheck, Jr., David Polacheck, Richard Gensch, Marilee Baas and Theresa Layne; 22 grandchildren (he was looking forward to the birth of their first great-grandchild in 2011); and his sisters Carol Kaiser and Janice Luepke; his wife's seven sisters: Phyllis, Alice, Jane, Betty, Pat, Mary and Nancy who will remember the food, wine, card games, great conversations and a big man with a bigger heart; many nieces and nephews and long-time friends that Lee always remembered to call on the telephone to keep in touch. A funeral Mass will be held at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 9520 W Forest Home Avenue, Hales Corners, Wisconsin at 11:00 AM on Monday, March 21. Visitation with family and friends will be in the vestibule of the church beginning at 9:30 AM. Pending potential arrangements for a Lee Robert Polacheck employee benefits scholarship memorial fund, contributions can be made to the family to be used for this or another memorial project. On facebook, search "In loving memory of Lee Robert Polacheck" to post pictures, memories and condolences.