Ronald Peter Gutschow

Ron Gutschow, a well-regarded professor of mathematics and leader in the birdwatching community, died June 9 of kidney failure at Lawlis Family Hospice in Mequon. He was 83.

Ronald Peter Gutschow was born in Milwaukee on May 29, 1940, to John Gutschow, a supervisor at Miller Brewing for 30 years, and Ebba (née) Hoving Gutschow, a homemaker. He grew up in Greendale, attended UW-Milwaukee as an undergraduate, and received his Ph.D. in mathematics from UWM in 1971. For 31 years, he taught in the Department of Mathematical Sciences at UW-Waukesha (now UWM at Waukesha), retiring in 2002 as an associate professor.

In his early 30s, Ron became an avid birdwatcher, leading monitoring projects such as the Audubon Christmas Bird Count and transect surveys for the Breeding Bird Atlas. He also invited expert and novice birders alike on countless informal birdwatching outings. His birding adventures took him to Australia, Africa, Europe, and South America, as well as throughout the United States.

Ron was preceded in death by his parents; his older siblings, Kenneth and Betty; and his wife, Deanna (Fry). He is survived by his sister, Patricia Pecho (Vic), by eight nephews and nieces, and by numerous grandnephews and nieces.

Ron had a green burial at Forest Home Cemetery in Milwaukee.  There will be a celebration of Ron’s life on Sunday, August 27, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Urban Ecology Center Riverside Park branch, 1500 E. Park Pl., Milwaukee.

Donations in Ron’s name may be made to the Urban Ecology Center, https://www.urbanecologycenter.org

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