Edward R. Garvey
April 18, 1940 - February 22, 2017

"No one will recognize me on this list of tributes, but I was Ed's campaign manager for his first campaign for governor in Wisconsin. It too was unsuccessful, which decades later when we would meet again, I could not let him forget. *s* That first campaign was at Badger Boys State in Ripon in July of 1956. While still in high school, we exchanged 2-3 day stays at each others homes--his in Burlington and mine in the tiny village of Hilbert just south of Green Bay. I had not been around many blocks that early in my life, but even then I was able to judge and predict that Ed was destined to leave some rather gigantic footprints on our planet. He did not disappoint ! Our paths would not cross again until sometime in the 90's when Ed lectured here at Indiana University, where I am a retired member of the faculty. He greeted me as if we had been closely connected from the time we had first met. We laughed a lot, and also told a few lies to one another I expect. That small life joy happens when a witty Irishman and a more stoic German get together-- with or without a beer or two to share. Even though we must have overlapped at U.W., where I spent five years in graduate school, Ed and I never renewed our friendship there. Yet, upon meeting in Bloomington he made me feel as if I were a treasured friend who he'd never forgotten. He invited me to come up to Madison to play golf with him. As a 20-handicapper, and recalling his exploits as a high school golfer, I knew better than to accept his invitation. However, now as a rather stereotypical progressive, liberal professor, I sorrowfully regret not taking the opportunity to spend more time in the presence of such a uniquely talented and wonderful human being. He has helped so many in so many ways. Reading these tributes has brought tears to my eyes. I express sympathy to his spouse and family. How fortunate you were to have such a great man as a husband, father, grandfather, and mentor. Lee J. Suttner "

"Dear Pam and Family ~ I'm so sorry to hear of your fathers death ~ I know we see each other just in passing but I've always enjoyed your friendliness and have long admired your fathers work ~ All wonderful memories to you and your family ~ Sandy Duffy"

"What an inspiration! Ed helped enormously the causes we both believed in -- from promoting the peace and social justice presidential candidates Ralph Nader and Dennis Kuccinich to allowing me the honor of interviewing him and Vel Philips in the MPTV studios for a student production on the Progressive Era. His spirit will continue to inspire the progressives and anti-war activists everywhere :) Jim Carpenter "

"I remember meeting Ed and Betty Garvey after Bob Kastenmeier's 1984 Congressional campaign. I had managed Bob's Madison campaign office and had scheduled Dorothy Kastenmeier's campaign activities. Dorothy invited my husband, Jack, and me for dinner. The other couple at that dinner was Ed and Betty. The dinner was delicious --especially Dortohy's Texas pecan pie. The conversation was politically delightful and peppered with Ed's astute observations and piercing humor. When we headed home that evening, I declared, "If that man ever runs for office, I will work for him!" I did. Three times. I remember when Ed sent me to Washington to attend and report on the Democrat's training session for new Senate candidates. I remember the respectful and inclusive way Ed and Bill Dixon treated my daughter, a teenage volunteer. I remember the excitement when the polls soared. I remember Kathleen's tears in the campaign office when opponent Bob Kasten lied. I remember spending days in Ed and Betty's attic resurrecting files from the '86 campaign to use in '88. I remember, long after the campaigns, calling Ed one Sunday afternoon to ask if he could advise my new son-in-law on applying to UW Law School. Ed's no surprise reply was, "Sure, send him over." Ed later hired that son-in-law for his first post law school job. I remember Ed's smile. I remember the way he honored his daughters--all three of them. I remember his devotion to Betty. I remember his kindness and his compassion. And, yes, I remember his progressive political ideals. I will remember forever the many ways he touched my life. With gratitude and sympathy for his family, Bonnie Mitchell "

"To the Garvey Family. You have lost a husband, father and grand father. Please accept my condolences. The world has lost a true Gentleman and a Crusader for those who were unable to protect themselves. The lord must of needed a litigator. I hope Ed is on my side when my time ends. Bernard Mark Garvey"

"Maybe it was because we shared a first name. Maybe it was because we shared a political philosophy. Maybe it was just because he was one of the friendliest persons I ever met. Whatever the reason, I was proud to know Ed Garvey and prouder that he knew me. While he was lecturing at the UW Law School, I would often run into Ed as he went through his mailbox. There was always a smile, a twinkle in his eye, and a kind word or joke for me. Years passed and the last time I saw him was in a parking ramp stairwell near the Overture Center. Once again I was treated to his smile and a final kind word. I am proud to have had his acquaintance!"

"Dear Betty, Pam, Kathleen and Lizzy. My sincere condolences to you and the entire Garvey family. Ed was a mentor and a great friend. RIP my friend!"

"Betty ,Kathleen and family... My heart is heavy and sad for all of you. You are dear friends of ours knowing you over three generations of family .... My prayers and thoughts will be with you this weekend for the funeral. Knowing that your dad/husband/grandfather will be so very missed.His presence and zest for life will continue on...you all are so blessed to of had such a incredible human being as your husband/dad/grandfather.God bless you all.Our love ,Meeghan,Les and Bebe Carter"

"Betty, I'm so sorry to hear about Ed's passing. Thinking of you and your family at this difficult time. "

"The people of Wisconsin have lost a great champion, and Wendy and I have lost a dear, dear friend. Our thoughts and prayers to out to Betty, Kathleen, Pam and Lizzie and to all of Ed's family and friends. He will be both missed and remembered, which is all he would have asked."

"Patricia Gruber Takamine Ed and my dad Joe Gruber, another strong progressive labor leader rode all over the State of WI in my dad's RV "The Underdog". My dad talked about sleeping on Ed and Kathleen's couch during his campaign, Ed's family welcomed my mom's sister when she came from Okinawa, I also had the honor of meeting and working with him and his lovely family. I know he is organizing in heaven right now...us earthly beings have the support of the Gods, Ed is now one of them! Thank you Ed! My sincere condolences to his family. "

"Shirley and I send our heartfelt condolences To Betty, Kathleen, Pam and Lizzy on the passing of their husband and Father. During Ed's NFLPA years, he and Betty were our best friends, and Ed was my tempestuous and indefatigable client. He and I occupied a proverbial foxhole together with NFLPA's bargaining Committee throughout the 56 day strike of the Players that led to better benefits and improved health and safety provision, a battle that was made bearable by Ed's caustic wit and endless strategy sessions. Decades later, he and I still called Ed "Eduardo," a fictitious name that he had been given to mask a back-channel effort to the NFL owners. When he spearheaded a successful lawsuit known in the reported cases as Bidwill v. Garvey, we recovered over $30 million for the Players Retirement Plan. He was a giant intellect and strategic genius. Joseph A. (Chip) Yablonski"

"I just wanted to say how sorry I am to hear of your loss. He was such a great champion of progressive legacies. I only met him briefly during his run for Governor and he seemed like such a nice man. I was surprised how honest he was by letting people know he had autistic daughter. I have high-functioning autism and now it doesn't seem so scary to say that I have it. Adam Brabender"

"Betty and family I am so sorry for your loss. Betty while you may not remember me I remember what a kind and generous person you where when working at Pleasant Company. No one should have to go though what you have. Jan Wille"

"I am so privileged to have known, worked, and fought with Ed. Wisconsin's stalwart progressive lion is gone, but we still hear his roar. Tom Dawson"

"A true mensch! I am eternally grateful to him for speaking out on behalf of my late husband who was treated poorly by the judicial system in his last days. Deborah McCants"

"Betty, so sad to hear of Ed's passing. Our deepest Sympathies to you and your family. Bonnie & Bob Williams Amy Bingham"

"Dear Jean, My condolences. Cindy Liburdi "

"Dear Betty and family, I'm a better human being for having known Ed Garvey. He lived his ideals and used his voice for those whose voices were stifled. Looking back at my two decades of interviews for Wisconsin Public Television, the ones with Ed Garvey were the most insightful--illuminating, irreverent, poignant, maddening, but almost always thought provoking. I'm grateful our paths crossed. How lucky you are to have had Ed as a husband, father, and relative. I'm so sad for your loss."

"Ed was a true fighter for many causes. I knew him as a fighter in his own personal battle with Parkinson's Disease. He carried on with grace and dignity. He fought the fight, he has finished the race, and now he walks and talks with a body restored. Rest in peace, Ed, in the arms of the Lord."

"Dear Betty and family, It is with much sadness that we learned of Ed's passing. We are so grateful, Betty, that you and he visited with us while we were traveling last summer. Ed has always been a special friend to Ken and both you and he have been very dear to us. This is the time when we are sorry to live so far away, but know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. We pray that you will find comfort and joy with family and friends and remember the words of love and promise the Lord has given to us. "I am the resurrection and the life", says the Lord. "He who believes in Me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in Me will never die." We send this with much love to you. Rosann and Ken"

"My best to Ed's family. Ed helped me and the Milwaukee weekly Shepherd Express. The paper may not exist today without his help. He will always be a hero to me, a fellow traveler who, (among many other things), felt strongly of the need for a free, independent news voice in greater Milwaukee, and in general. I am in the company of many being greatly saddened by his passing."

"I was lucky enough to get some quality time with Ed when he and Barb Lawton campaigned in Green Bay, in the Underdog. I knew Barb from local politics but had never met Ed before. I found him to be a true gentleman, decent, intelligent, and quite funny. It would be hard not to like Ed. Barb and I were chatting about our time in Spain. She vacationing and I stationed in Andalusia, near Cadiz. Ed asked me when I was there and I told him I lived there for all of 1970 and 1971. Ed said he was in Spain in 1974 (I think) but was thrown out by the Guardia Civil. I asked him how he managed that, and Ed said, "I was teaching a class called Democracy in the Workplace," so Franco had the Guardia Civil arrest me, haul me to the airport and actually push me in the open door of the plane, telling me to 'never come back'." I said, "WOW! I would love to have it on my resume' that I had been kicked out of a fascist country by the dictator himself!" Ed said, "Just wait." We all laughed heartily, but look how Ed was right. Now we have to deal with Trump and Walker and other toadies like that. Goodness, how I will miss Ed. My sincerest condolences to the family."

"He sleeps with the souls of the just."

"Remembering Ed- He spent a lot of his time down in Racine back in 2001, helping workers that were shut out by the sudden plant closer of Artech, (formerly Western Publishing Co.). Western was a children's book publisher for over 100 years, with a lot of long term dedicated employees. With Ed's help over quite a few months, we attempted to save those jobs with a employee buy-out. I was taught by Ed, (like he was) to be relentless, honest, witty, and have a can do attitude! That man was incredible to watch, sacrificing so much of himself for our benefit. Though we were unsuccessful, we sure made ourselves heard! That experience with Ed made all of us thankful for what he did, and the kind of man he was. This is a huge loss to Wisconsin and a whole in my, our hearts in Racine. RIP, proud to call you a true friend!"

"Ed and Betty are our real life heroes. Those two were a powerhouse team and Ed always made sure to give Betty the credit behind his good work. We mourn along with Betty and their wonderful family on the loss of this one-of-a-kind, life-altering icon of a man who went by the name of Ed Garvey. We first met Ed at a Sauk Area Peace Council meeting in the 1990's during the first gulf war, and we knew we wanted to follow this progressive leader who was all about creating change for the betterment of all mankind. If you had the spark, he was able to bring it to a full blaze. We were so fired up after hearing him and were so all in. Even before we worked with him to breathe life into Fighting Bob Fest 1 and 2 in 2002 and 2003, we volunteered for the Garvey/Lawton gubernatorial campaign in 1998. In between those events, we were summoning him to speak at our Progressive Voices lecture series and our Peace On Earth/Goodwill Toward Progressives holiday parties in Baraboo. He never turned us down. Good weather or bad, he was always there and ready for action. Ed had a good following and drew huge crowds as he was up-to-the-minute on every political aspect, had a great wit and smile about him, and he never charged us a dime. He did it all "for the public good." We have good stories from our parade march in Sauk City where the Underdog campaign bus broke down and, and much to our delight, we had the rare privilege of piling Garvey, Barbara Lawton, Nichols and Paul Wellstone into our Jeep for a ride back to Madison. You want stimulating conversation? This made the bucket list long before it was a term. We see that Buzz Davis, in his remembrances of Garvey, refers to the night we were all at the small Madison airport in which Ed was called upon to keep the crowd entertained until Rep. Dennis Kucinich arrived very much later than originally scheduled. Ed, called upon to entertain the crowd during the lapse, was as impressive as ever with his off-the-cuff remarks. When Kucinich finally got there, we found that he had brought actress Mimi Kennedy from the TV sitcom Dharma and Greg with him. Garvey was, again, asked to take the stage to introduce her. He turned to me and said, "I don't have a clue about this show or this actress." I concurred, as did my husband...and so it went down the line of all the non-TV-watching, earth-biscuit-types who were also clueless. Yet, and here was another gift of his, Ed was able to take the stage and give due diligence to this wonderful woman who lent her fame to the campaign. These were pretty much pre-cellphone times (or, again, was it the crowd?), but I'd love to see that episode played out again in real time. Ed Garvey had the gifts of humor and the golden tongue. I swear to God, from what we witnessed, he used every God-given talent to the maximum that had been bestowed upon him. We believe in an afterlife and like to think there are smiles all around in Heaven as Ed re-unites with the likes of Paul Wellstone, Paul Simon, Gene and Linda Farley, Nan Cheney, Tom Arbogast, Trisha Denker and so many other progressive immortal souls who graced the Earth while inhabiting it. Enjoy the fruits of your labors, dear Ed, but please continue to keep an eye out for us down here. Please do whatever it takes from the other side to help us to remove the evil Hair Furor and his minions from office and help us to save what's left of our fragile democracy. With our love, Sue and Tom Holmes P.S. Give "Fighting Bob" and Belle a big hug and kiss from us!!"

"I doubt if Mr. Garvey would remember me, but he helped me out of a problem in 1996. I had received a threatening letter from a previous employer regarding a non-compete contract. I was just an hourly worker and switch to another employer for better pay. After explaining my situation to Mr. Garvey, he told me I had nothing to worry about and he would take care of it. I never heard back from the former employer. I also never received a bill for Ed's services. I am saddened to hear of his death. He will be missed. The country could benifit from more people like him. Robert Clifford"

"Once day over drinks at the Main Depot, Ed Garvey shared his vision for an ideal funeral. He thought funerals should have private booths for people to go in and finally say what they really thought of the deceased. Sadly, the time has come for me to tell you what I really think of you, Ed. You had tremendous integrity, humor, honesty, and energy in pursuit of civil, environmental and social justice. You are a true Wisconsin progressive hero. You were also a pain in the ass. Your endless pursuit of progressive ideals left me scrambling to figure out how to implement the logistics of your newest grandiose vision. Your insistence on saying what you really felt, made me constantly fear for the status of FightingBob's non-profit, non-partisan status. Working with you was a thrilling whirlwind. It was hard, it was life-changing, it was inspiring, it was a great privilege. I never told you how grateful I am for all that you've done for me: the responsibilities you entrusted, the opportunities you provided, the mentorship and leadership you afforded, the connections and friendships you fostered, and the beer you purchased almost every day after work. Even though it only spanned four short years, my time with you was a formative and unforgettable experience. In that time, I served in roles as legal assistant on civil and environmental rights cases, community organizer of grassroots citizen groups, editorial assistant of FightinBob.com, organizer of Fighting Bob Fest & the People's Legislature, and campaign worker to the honorable Judge Paul Higginbotham and the incomparable Meagan Yost. You enabled all this in one person in just four years! You made me a part of a community working for change. I loved it. Ed, I'm so lucky to have known you, to have worked with you, to have fought with you, to have laughed with you. On behalf of the thousands of progressives you've inspired, activated, and mentored, I thank you. Yours is an undeniable legacy. You are missed. ~Kristi Gundrum Kebinger"

"I worked with Ed for three years while in/after law school. He was an incredible mentor to me and taught me so much! I will be forever grateful for the lessons, education, laughs. may his memory be a blessing to all who knew him, as they are for me."

"Ed Garvey treated everyone he met as someone. He challenged the establishment against all odds. Maybe he didn't win a Governor's race but he won the hearts of so many people. Those who know and love him must step forward now and carry on his work. We have to stare down nay sayers and continue to fight for what is right. I want to extend my deepest sympathies to his wife and daughters. I too will miss him very much. Joe Kallas"

"I join with many in praying for Ed , his wife and daughters. The NFL players owe Ed much. He beat back the close minded owners. Ed also helped his fellow Wisconsinites. The progressive wing will rise again. "

"Both humbled and honored to have crossed paths with Ed. Remembering him fondly and so glad to have known him. May his memory be a blessing."

"My parents Dr.@Mrs. Daniel Fagan were old friends of your parents many years ago in Prairie du Chien. May Edward RIP. Margaret Fagan."