Richard Max Katz

Katz, Dr. Richard Max D.P.M. Feb. 25, 1929 - Dec. 20, 2012. Age 83. Died peacefully with family present at Agrace Hospice of Fitchburg, Thursday morning Dec. 20, 2012, following the rapid progression of lung cancer, diagnosed in September 2012. He was born February 25, 1929 in Milwaukee to Nathan Katz and Esther (Siegel) Katz, with Yiddish as his first language. He was gregariously personable, with a strong, independent, and engaging personality and an ability to interject humor into virtually every sentence. He left high school as he turned 17 to enroll in the US Army, where he was stationed in Japan shortly after WWII. He returned to enroll at UW Madison where he met Rhea Holzman, of Minocqua, whom he married Oct. 8, 1950. He graduated from The Chicago School of Podiatric Medicine, where he developed an anti-inflammatory technique for joint injection with steroid. He initially practiced Podiatry in Rhinelander WI and then in Milwaukee, settling in Whitefish Bay, where he was a volunteer auxiliary Police Officer. He showed unconditional love to his three children and their families, and remained dedicated throughout his life to all of his extended family, particularly the "Katz Cousin Club", consisting of all the descendants of his beloved grandfather, patriarch Michael Katz, initially of Milchin, Russia. In 1990, he moved to Madison to be closer to some of his children and grandchildren, and worked there for nearly 10 years as a Podiatrist. In retirement, he delighted in the activities and interests of his grandchildren and great- grandchildren. Throughout his life he was well read and informed, eager to share his opinions on an array of complex issues, or tell a story. He was particularly interested in the State and People of Israel, which he visited in 1987. He loved discussing Torah and was a regular member of the Saturday morning Temple Beth El Torah Study Group in Madison. His favorite passage, one he lived by, is from Micah Ch.6 vs.8; "What (does) the Lord require of you: Only to do justice, to love goodness and to walk humbly with your God." He was predeceased by his parents, and is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, Rhea; his sister Jeannette Holtzman (Milwaukee); his 3 children: Dr. Neal J. Katz (Marci) of Madison and their sons Adam Katz (Milwaukee, WI) and David Katz (Knoxville, TN); Sherie A. Sondel (Paul) of Madison and their children Dr. Jesse (Emilie) Sondel of Madison (their children, Jordan and Evan), Beth Sondel of Madison, Elana Dellal (George) of Cincinnati (their son, Jonah), and Jodi Sondel of Madison; and Brian Katz (Marca) of Boston, MA and their sons Jacob, Ian and Zachary; and many beloved cousins, nieces, and nephews. A Funeral service will be held at 11 AM on Monday, December 24, at Temple Beth El, 2702 Arbor Dr. Madison, followed by burial at the Beit Olamim cemetery (in Sunset Memory Gardens) 7302 Mineral Point Rd. Following the burial there will be a meal of consolation and then a Minyan service at the home of Sherie and Paul Sondel, 1114 Winston Dr., Madison WI. The Katz family is grateful to Drs. Jim Sosman and Toby Campbell at UW hospital, and their outstanding staff, and to the kind staff at Agrace hospice. In lieu of flowers, the Katz family would appreciate donations made to: HIAS (the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society); to MAZON (supporting rural anti-hunger); or to the Jewish National Fund for the planting of trees in Israel in his memory. Cress Funeral & Cremation Service, 3610 Speedway Road, Madison, 608-238-3434 Please share your memories at www.cressfuneralservice.com