Richard Grobschmidt

Richard Grobschmidt (May 3, 1948 – July 23, 2016) was an American educator and former Democratic politician from South Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He served five terms in the Wisconsin State Assembly (1985–1995) and parts of three terms in the Wisconsin State Senate (1995–2003), before resigning to take a position with the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.

Richard Grobschmidt
Member of the Wisconsin Senate
from the 7th district
In office
January 2, 1996 – January 6, 2003
Preceded byJohn R. Plewa
Succeeded byJeffrey Plale
Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly
from the 21st district
In office
January 7, 1985 – January 2, 1996
Preceded byJohn R. Plewa
Succeeded byJeffrey Plale
Personal details
Born(1948-05-03)May 3, 1948
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
DiedJuly 23, 2016(2016-07-23) (aged 68)
Wauwatosa, Wisconsin
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseBarbara Grobschmidt
ProfessionEducator, Politician

Background

Grobschmidt was born in Milwaukee on May 3, 1948, to Chester W. Grobschmidt and Leone Grobschmidt. His father was mayor of South Milwaukee from 1966 to 1994.[1] Grobschmidt graduated from South Milwaukee High School in 1966; earned a B.S. from University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh in 1972, and a M.S. from University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee in 1979. He taught political science at South Milwaukee High before being elected to the Wisconsin Legislature.

Legislative service

Grobschmidt was elected to the state Assembly in 1984, and re-elected for the next five terms for the 21st district, representing South Milwaukee and portions of Oak Creek. He was elected for the 7th district State Senate seat (representing several southeastern Milwaukee County suburbs, plus a fraction of eastern Milwaukee) in a November 1995 special election; and reelected in 1998 and 2002.[2]

Department of Public Instruction

In December 2002, he announced that he would resign his seat in January 2003 to take a position as Assistant Superintendent of Public Instruction under State Superintendent Elizabeth Burmaster.[3] He retired from that position on September 10, 2010.[4]

Death and legacy

Grobschmidt died on July 23, 2016, in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin.[5] A bridge on the Hank Aaron State Trail in Lakeshore State Park was named after Grobschmidt in 2017.[6][7]

References
  1. South Milwaukee mayoral history
  2. 2001-2002 Wisconsin Bluebook profile
  3. Ross, J.R. Associated Press "Democratic Senator to Take State Education Job; Richard Grobschmidt is Resigning His Seat to Become the State's Top Librarian in DPI." Wisconsin State Journal Dec. 21, 2002
  4. "Richard Grobschmidt to Retire as Assistant State Superintendent at DPI," Wisconsin Library Association Blog
  5. Richard Grobschmidt-obituary
  6. Hanley, Erik S. (2017-11-07). "Bridge on Hank Aaron State Trail to be named after South Milwaukee's Richard Grobschmidt". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved 2022-02-22.
  7. "Grobschmidt Park, Grobschmidt Pool: Why are so many Milwaukeea-area spaces named after this family?". Bubbler Talk (Podcast). WUWM. 2022-02-18. Retrieved 2022-02-22.
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