Michael John Pfau

Born in 1939 in Detroit, Michigan to Mary and Raymond Pfau, Mike was the fourth of five children. The family moved to Wauwatosa where he attended St Jude's grade school and Marquette High School. He was proud to be a 3Mer, graduating from Marquette High, Marquette University and Marquette Law. He was a diehard MU basketball fan his entire adult life.

Mike was an accomplished trial attorney specializing in medical malpractice cases. He was the managing partner of a national law firm, Hinshaw and Culbertson's, Milwaukee office, and was inducted into the American College of Trial Lawyers, one of his profession's highest honors. In addition to his professional successes, his dedication to his faith and family were his greatest accomplishments. He was defined by strength, integrity and kindness towards others. A strict parent who valued education, he was also a joke teller, a surprising romantic with a penchant for gift giving and was blessed with an abundance of friends.

Mike was also a lucky man….In 1960 he met a girl from Appleton named Nancy and it changed the trajectory of his life. They met at The Rock in Door County where Nancy was a waitress at Maxwelton Braes and Mike was visiting with fraternity brothers. (There was something about a damaged golf course, a police interrogation on the beach and Nancy being fired from her job because of the rowdy boys from Marquette…)

Mike and Nancy returned to Milwaukee for their senior year, fell in love, were married in 1963 and raised three children near St Joseph's in Wauwatosa. Together they enjoyed 62 years of fun, family and friends.

Apparently, Mike's greatest pride in life were his three children, Michael, Patrick and Susan. His greatest joy in life were his grandchildren: Meghan, Henry, Elena, Michael, Luca, Catherine, Alexandra, and Ella.

Following 45 years of practicing law, he enjoyed a well-deserved retirement of golf, tennis and travel but was happiest at his home in Door County watching the sunset over Lake Michigan with a glass of scotch in his hand. (Dewars in a tub with a rock, of course.)

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Nancy, his three children, eight grandchildren, his brother Peter, his daughter in law Sarah Pfau, his son in law William Perry, his brother-in-law Harry Wendlandt and wife Jane, his brother-in-law Thomas and wife Kristine, and numerous nieces and nephews.

It is with profound respect we say goodbye to a life well lived. Thank you, Dad. We are who we are because of you.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Repairers of the Breach, Mike's favorite charity, or the Jesuit Retreat House in Oshkosh, where he made annual retreats for 50 years. A celebration of life will be held at St. Joseph's Parish in Wauwatosa on Saturday, October 4th at 11:00 following a 10:00 visitation.