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Joseph Hemmer Obituary

Hemmer, Jr., Joseph J.

Joseph J. Hemmer, Jr., a resident of Muskego, died on December 31, 2012, at the age of 73, after a long illness. Joe was born on Sept 24, 1939, in Oshkosh, the son of Joseph and Margaret (nee Nuernberg). He attended St. Vincent Catholic Grade School, where he was proud to be an altar boy. He attended Oshkosh High School, and after serving in the United States Army, he went on to pursue higher education where he attained a B.S. degree from Wisconsin State College (Oshkosh), an M.A.; from Bradley University, and a Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin.

Dr. Hemmer devoted his professional life to the field of education. He served as Director of Debate at Marquette University and as Instructor of Speech at the University of Wisconsin- Parkside, and for the past 41 years as Professor of Communication at Carroll College, where he served as Chairperson of the Department of Communication, as President of the Faculty, and where he held the Cordelia Pierce Endowed Chair in Communication. He also served as President of the Wisconsin Communication Association. Hemmer's area of expertise was communication law and the first amendment. He published two books - a case law book titled Communication Law: The Supreme Court and the First Amendment, and a first amendment theory book labeled The First Amendment: Theoretical Perspectives. His research work also appeared in numerous periodicals. In 1982, he received the Andrew T. Weaver award, presented annually by the WCA to the outstanding communication professor in the state. In 1996, Hemmer received the Benjamin F. Richason Jr., Faculty Award for excellence in Teaching, Research, and Education Innovation from Carroll College.

Joe spent his recreational time fishing his "blue gill hot spot" on Lake Denoon, golfing Waukesha county courses, biking the state trails, and watching sports teams at all levels, but especially the North Prairie Dawgs.

Joe will be sadly missed by his loving wife of 45 years, Joy (nee Konrad), whom he married December 16, 1967, at St. Dennis Catholic Church in Madison); his sons, Joseph J. III (Lorrie) of Brookfield; Andrew (Beth) of Waterford; his grandchildren, Makenzie, J.J., Jason, and Ella; and his brother, James P. (Francine) Hemmer of Glenview, Illinois. Joe is also survived by many nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are appreciated to St. Anthony Zuni Mission in Zuni, New Mexico, and to St. Michaels Navajo School in St. Michaels, Arizona

Memorial Visitation will be held on Saturday, January 12, 2013, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 305 First Street in Waterford. Memorial Funeral Mass to follow at 1 p.m.

Arrangements by: Max A. Sass & Sons Funeral Home, Muskego 262-679-1560 www.maxsass.com

Published by Oshkosh Northwestern on Jan. 9, 2013.
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Memories and Condolences
for Joseph Hemmer

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It was ajoy to have known Joe. Never forget the first POETS gathering that I joined in with him, Sorry to see you go. You will truly be missed.

Terry Serio

January 12, 2013

Dr. Hemmer was one of the best and most important parts of my Carroll experience. He made me believe in myself like few teachers ever had, and I will be forever grateful for this belief. Dr. Hemmer was an outstanding professor and an even better person, and I am so thankful for his presence in my life. My sincerest condolences to his family.

Lynn Slowiak

January 11, 2013

Dear Doc,

You were an inspiration. A great motivator - you made me want to keep doing well even though I took your COM Law class last semester of my senior year. I remember you chuckling when I saw you in the hall the semester before when I told you I was taking your class my last semester. You said "You don't want to make it easy on yourself, do you?" I feel blessed to have been a student of yours and will miss your humor and dedication.
Condolences to the Hemmer family on their great loss.

Summer Pham Rotta

January 8, 2013

A staple in my Communication Degree, a mentor in my years at Carroll, and an impressive man & educator. Carroll was a better place because of Doc & the world is a lesser place without him. Godspeed and much peace to your family & those who were so lucky to have known Doc Hemmer!

Carrie Hoza

January 8, 2013

Dearest family of Joe,

Sending my love, prayers, and condolences...for your loss.
I considered Dr. Hemmer as one of my most cherished professors at Carroll.
I learned so much from him and he was a good friend as well...I will never forget him.

Much love,
Jennifer (Jaworski) Shaw
- Carroll College - Class of 1997

Jennifer Shaw

January 8, 2013

1/?8/?2013
Condolences Joy, Joe & Andy--
It's been a long road---not always straight and a little
bumpy---but the ride---always there, from Hartland,
Hodag, Embarass & Wolf---a friend---'a bowler' from Bowler.

QCG

January 8, 2013

Dr. Hemmer was a great man and a very special professor. Thoughts and prayers to his family

Cheryl Mulder

January 7, 2013

I learned a lot from Dr. Hemmer, especially in Communication Law. The knowledge and spirit he shared with his students will live on. Rest in peace, Dr. Joe Hemmer.

Teresa Dickert

January 7, 2013

I can't beileve Carroll and all of us have lost Dr. Hemmer. He was not only an AMAZING professor, he was a great man. I will always remember the knowledge he shared with me that was always accompanied by humor, spirit and true concern and caring. Dr. Hemmer, you will me missed.

Carrie Hoppe

January 7, 2013

My 18th birthday will never be forgotten, when Aunt Joy, Uncle Joe, and Joe and Andy came in the house each carrying dessert or candy. Uncle Joe had the best which was a 12 pack of beer. He was also singing the song by the Oak Ridge Boys "Older Women are Beautiful Lovers". I hear it on the radio on weekends quite often and am reminded of that time. Though I have other memories of family gatherings with the Hemmer family and with the fun boat rides on the lake.

Jan Hackbarth

January 6, 2013

Dr. Hemmer was a fantastic mentor and teacher. I will always think of him as part of the crazy "Hemmer-Daily-Settle" Communication Dept. team that made learning fun! I thank God for the gift of teachers; I thank Dr. Hemmer for the role he played in My education.

My sincerest blessings to Dr. Hemmer's family, and all the people he has touched in his lifetime...

...In honor of a great educator, a verse from Rainer Maria Rilke's teachings that just came to mind:

"Be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves ~ like locked rooms and like books that are written in a very foreign tongue. Do not now seek the answers, which cannot be give you because you would not be able to live them. And the point is, to live Everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps you will then gradually, without noticing it, live along some distant day into the answer…"

(Enjoy your next amazing journey, Dr. Hemmer!) ~ Vicki '84

Vicki Gross

January 5, 2013

Greet Provoost

January 5, 2013

Rest in Peace, Dr. Hemmer. You remain a very fond and significant part of my Carroll College experience. Thank you.
I remain grateful for your contacting me in Europe prior to my arriving on campus to make sure I understood your role of "advisor", and for going out of your way for me once I arrived on campus to make sure I understood how the U.S. higher ed system really worked... Thank you!
I also remember your funny costumes in class - something to do with football and a standing bet with Dr. Pete Settle. Always fun.
You challenged us and you inspired us. You provoked us in to meaningful discussions. You were strict. And you were fair. You taught us all valuable life lessons... Thank you.
Rest in Peace. Dr. Hemmer.
And thank you.
Always.

Greet Provoost

January 5, 2013

Joe Hemmer was the best college professor I've ever had. As a Comm major, I was lucky to have him for several classes. He was always interesting to listen to, and always easy to talk to. I still think of him often when watching certain movies and noticing the film techniques, thanks to his Film Criticism class. He was a good man and I was sad to hear of his passing. This world could use more Joe Hemmers in it...

Tim Glosson

January 5, 2013

Dr. Hemmer was the reason I changed my major to Communications at Carroll. He was a great professor, and human being. Sending thoughts and prayers to his family!!

Alisha Resch

January 4, 2013

I absolutely loved the classes I had with Dr. Hemmer and came to like him very much, as a teacher and a person. I was very sad to hear of his death. All my sympathy to his family and friends.

Cindy Bennett

January 4, 2013

Dr. Hemmer had a real influence on my becoming a Communications minor at Carroll, and more importantly helped me navigate the waters as a student and a staff member. Challenging, supportive, fair, interested in others and caring. May he rest in peace - he will be deeply missed.

Jill Attkisson

January 4, 2013

Joe is the reason I majored in Comm; the 101 class he taught broadened my sights and made me realize I could "do that" but also that wherever my future led me, Communication was key to it. And later on when I got to know him as a grown-up, he was a real joy to talk to. Passionate about things that were important to him, able to take (and give!) a joke, and clear as fresh water about his priorities. I will miss him at Homecoming, and I will miss his Comm Department updates. Bless you, Doc, and I'm glad you've got the best fishin' hole ever now!

Love and prayers to Joy and the rest of the family....

Lora Totton Schwar

January 4, 2013

Dr. Hemmer was one of my favorite professors at Carroll. He was inspiring and kind, and will be missed. Thank you, Dr. Hemmer, and rest in peace.

Dyan Yoder

January 4, 2013

There are just not enough words in the world to tell you what Joe hemmer meant to my career, my life and my happiness. I miss him so much akready. The ourpouring of affection and respect from his students is not amazing at all. That is who Joe was and remains. godspeed buddy.

Pete Settle

January 4, 2013

Comm Law & Film Criticism were my fave courses because of Joe's passion for them & his students. He made me a better thinker & writer, as well as enriching my life by being a mentor & friend. He will be missed & my prayers are with his family at this time.

Heather 'Davie' Davison '91

January 4, 2013

Becoming a communications major at Carroll was one of the best decisions I've ever made, and Joe Hemmer was a big part of that. The environment of support, challenge, respect, and understanding was exactly what this student needed, and every contact I've had with Dr. Hemmer or any other member of that department since graduation has reaffirmed my sense of belonging. He will be missed.

Kris Grunow Ricigliano

January 4, 2013

With Joe's passing we lose a first-rate mind as well as a flat-out fun human being. Our relationship spanned four, no five decades (groan) from being chewed out in Comm 101 in 1971 to a memorable night seeing the movie The Piano in the early 1990s, to a movie and beer (always) more recently. All of the good things educators can do for students was embodied in Joe Hemmer and I personally will miss him alot. May God rest his soul after his long battle.

Mike Osenga

January 4, 2013

Who could ever forget TGIFs but more importantly a teacher, a counsellor, a mentor and a friend who long after graduation continued to care, to be interested and always ready to listen. So very sorry for your troubles and my thoughts and prayers are with you.

Jo Ann Warren '74

January 4, 2013

Joe, worked tirelessly for faculty and students and will be missed by both. The entire Carroll community will miss his presence.

Merlene Moody

January 4, 2013

I'm saddened to hear about the passing of my Carroll advisor and friend for 40 years. I always looked forward to the annual Comm Dept end zone picture at Homecoming and a few minutes to chat with Doc. Joe was always interested in my life, asking about my family and job. Never a dull moment especially with Dailey & Settle in attendance! RIP, Doc.

Dick Martin '76

January 4, 2013

Jow Hemmer was always smiling. In class. At happy hour. Climbing down the narrow switchbacks of Canyon de Chelly. Bits of his knowledge and wisdom that made it through my thick skull help me everyday still. My thoughts and prayers are with Joe, and his Joy, Joe Jr, and Andy.

Ed Sommers

January 4, 2013

I loved Joe! I will always have great memories of sitting in his 8am COM01 class my freshman year of college, his visits to my office years later, as colleagues, to make me laugh and (my favorite) of watching his face when I sang. I will always be his Funny Girl. I will miss my friend but I know he is at peace and with God. Prayers for his entire family.

Linda (Luecht) Sklander

January 4, 2013

As a former student of Dr. Hemmer, as well as my daughter, I can say how truly missed he will be by all. He has touched and enriched the lives of so many people. Blessings to his family at this very sad time.
Kim Seibert

January 4, 2013

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