Obituaries

Madison – James B. Beyer, professor emeritus, age 92, passed away peacefully at home on December 6, 2023. He was born on July 7, 1931 in Horicon, Wisconsin to parents Emil and Jean (Karsten) Beyer.

Jim grew up in Horicon and from a young age had a keen interest in radios and other electronics and enjoyed taking anything apart and figuring out how it worked. He received his Ham radio license at the age of 8 and he continued to be a part of the Ham radio community for his entire life. He served in the United States Navy as a radio technician on a destroyer vessel during the Korean War. He married the love of his life, Elaine Robbins, on April 9, 1955 in Union, Maine and they enjoyed 57 years together. She preceded him in death on July 8, 2012. He received a PhD in 1961 from the University of Wisconsin in Electrical Engineering and taught for 34 years at UW-Madison. A highlight was receiving a Fulbright Scholarship in 1968 and spending an adventurous year in Germany with Elaine and 4 young children. He enjoyed many meaningful relationships with his colleagues and students who also appreciated his unrivaled pizza parties and homebrew. Jim was a lifelong learner and thinker even to his last days. He and his family enjoyed many trips to Maine as well as camping in several states. Jim also liked canoeing with friends and family in the Boundary Waters. He had a special place in his heart for dogs. Over the years he had 7 German Shepherds, 5 of which he rescued from shelters.

Jim is survived by his 4 children, James (Kathy) Beyer, Jeanie (Steve) Tomasko, MaryAnn (Randy) Schmidt, and Gretchen (John) Barmore; 11 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren as well as cousins, nieces, and nephews; and by his beloved dog, Schatzi. He was preceded in death by his parents; his loving wife; and his 2 brothers, John and Stephen Beyer.

A special thank you to his caregiver Anne for her wonderful care of Jim over the last 8 months.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation in honor of Jim’s wife Elaine; or UW Foundation College of Engineering; or to your favorite dog or animal rescue.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, May 10, 2024, at 3:30 p.m. Ryan Funeral Home, 2418 N. Sherman Ave, Madison. A visitation will begin at 2:00 p.m. at the funeral home until the time of service. A time of sharing memories will follow the service. A private inurnment will be held at Oak Hill Cemetery in Horicon.

To view and sign this guestbook, please visit: www.ryanfuneralservice.com.

Ryan Funeral Home & Cremation Services

2418 N. Sherman Ave.

608-249-8257