Obituaries

Joseph “Joe” Corry passed away April 10, 2023. He was born October 5th, 1932, in Madison, and grew up in South Milwaukee. He received his undergraduate degree at Holy Cross College in Worcester MA. He served in the Navy as a 2nd Lieutenant at the end of the Korean War, stationed on an LST in Japan. He returned to Madison in 1957 to pursue his master’s degree in East Asian Studies. He completed his masters while teaching at Williston Academy in East Hampton, MA and returned to Madison in 1963 to begin work in the Foreign Student and Faculty office. After a 3-month stint training one of the first groups of Peace Corps volunteers headed to Kenya, he became interested in the country himself and accepted a position with the Ford Foundation in Nairobi. For two years he assisted in the transition from British to Kenyan administration of the University of Nairobi, while also doing research for his PhD in East African History. Upon returning to Madison, he took up his longtime role in the UW administration serving in many capacities, chairing and coordinating several committees governing academic admissions, financial aid and continuing education. Ultimately, he was appointed Associate Vice Chancellor by Chancellor Irving Shain. In 1997 Joe received the Academic Staff Excellence Award for outstanding work in leadership and public service. Outreach was his forte. A fixture of Bascom Hall, he knew everyone, and everyone knew him.

Although he officially retired in 1998, he was not yet done. From 1999 to 2006 he served as acting Executive Director of the University Retirement Association. In his free time, he was an avid gardener, tennis and softball player, as well as a rail trail and railroad enthusiast. A firm believer in giving back, he also volunteered at St. Vincent de Paul food pantry.

He is predeceased by his parents, William and Cecilia Corry; his sister, Mary Jane Corry; as well as his wife, Barbara Weston Corry.

He is survived by six children, three from each of his Barbaras: Ellen Corry, Laura (Todd Miller) Burbaugh, Jennifer Corry, Andrew (Jenny Stampe) Caddock, Emily (Tim) Schwenker and Christopher (Kimberly Galarza) Caddock. They are bereft of their North Star. He was patience and kindness personified and his death leaves an unfillable void. A private family service will be held at a later date.