Hickman, John Comar
MADISON - John Comar Hickman, age 94, died Thursday, Dec. 7, 2006, at
Oakwood Village West in Madison. John was born on Nov. 11, 1912, in
Milwaukee to parents Charles Edgar Hickman and Mary Elizabeth Reese
Torrance Hickman. John was educated in the Milwaukee Public Schools and
graduated from Bay View High School. After high school graduation he
worked in an office for one year. He then enrolled in the University of
Wisconsin and earned three degrees: a bachelor's degree in economics
(1935), a master's degree in education (1939) and a doctor's degree in
guidance and special personnel services (1955). As an undergraduate he was
a member of and captain of the Varsity Swimming and Water Polo Teams.
After earning his master's degree, he worked for Goodyear Tire and Rubber
Company for one year and then the Milwaukee Athletic Club. Following the
Pearl Harbor attack, he applied for a commission in the U.S. Navy and
married his wife, Lorraine. After a brief honeymoon he reported for duty
and served in the Navy from 1941 until 1945, finishing up as the Commander
of the Naval Anti-Aircraft Training Center at Great Lakes, Ill. and was
discharged as a lieutenant. Upon completion of his Navy duty, he joined
the Flambeau Outboard Motor Company in Milwaukee for one year. In 1946, he
moved to Madison with his wife and two sons to begin his career at the
University of Wisconsin as an Associate Professor and Assistant Swimming
Coach. His daughter, Mary ,was born in Madison. John became Head Swimming
Coach in 1951 and earned his Ph.D. in 1955. He organized and ran the
Personnel Services for Student Athletes until he retired in 1978. John
also taught physical education in Madison and taught guidance and
counseling for the Extension Division. He retired from coaching in 1969.
John was the president of the College Swimming Coaches of America in
1963-64 and was inducted into the University of Wisconsin Athletic Hall of
Fame in 1997. He was also a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity. John was a
director of the W Club and he and his wife were members of the Blackhawk
Country Club. His retirement years were spent traveling and visiting his
children and grandchildren with his wife; and he was fond of woodworking
as a hobby. He is survived by his wife, Lorraine Block Hickman of Madison;
sons, John C. Jr. "Jack" (Margaretha) Hickman of Fairfax, Va. and Robert
C. "Bob" Hickman of Middleton; daughter, Mary E. (James "Jim") Feeney of
Lawrence, Kan.; grandchildren, Patrick Feeney, John Feeney, Ann (William
"Bill") Briggs, Paul Hickman and Brian Hickman; and great-grandchild, Mae
Briggs. A visitation will be held from 12:30 p.m. until 2:30 p.m. on
Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2006, at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 3610 Speedway Road,
Madison. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorials be made in
John's name to the Badger Fund/ Mens Swimming, in care of the UW Athletic
Department, Kellner Hall, 1440 Monroe St., Madison, WI 53711 or the Don
and Marilyn Anderson HospiceCare Center, 5395 E. Cheryl Parkway, Madison,
WI 53711.
Cress Funeral and Cremation Service
3610 Speedway Road
(608) 238-3434
www.cressfuneralservice.com |