In loving memory of

Sol Bloomenkranz
December 4, 1923 - July 7, 2017

MIDDLETON, WI - Sol Bloomenkranz, age 93, passed away unexpectedly at home on July 7, 2017. He was born in Chicago, IL to Max and Frieda Bloomenkranz on December 4, 1923. As a teenager, Sol traveled to Poland to visit his relatives which inspired him to study and work internationally. During World War II Sol interrupted his studies at Northwestern University to enlist and serve in the US Army. After the War he completed his studies and moved to Zurich, Switzerland to attend graduate school.

Sol went on to work for the United States Government in Frankfurt, Germany where he met the love of his life, Gisela Maria Imm. They married in 1956. Sol switched careers in 1961 and entered the advertising industry. He continued to pursue his passion for international business at agencies in Germany, Italy, Belgium, France and Spain until his retirement in 1988. Sol and Gisela then moved to the United States to be closer to their children and grandchildren. They lived in Boca Raton, FL and later in Middleton, WI.

Sol was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Gisela, and his brother Bernard Bloomenkranz. He is survived by his sons Larry Bloomenkranz (Lisa) of Cleveland, OH, and Dick Bloomenkranz (Laura) of Madison, WI; and grandchildren Martin, Miles, Bill and Tina. He also leaves behind his sister-in-law Eunice Bloomenkranz of Skokie, IL and many nieces, nephews and their families.

Gathering will take place from 10:30-11:00 AM on Saturday, August 5, 2017 at the Cress Center, 6021 University Ave., Madison, WI 53705 with a Celebration of Life to follow at 11:00 AM.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Sol's honor to the Gisela Imm Bloomenkranz Fund. For mailing a gift, please note the name of the fund and account #132500000 on your check and send to:

UW Foundation
U.S. Bank Lockbox 78807
Milwaukee, WI 53278-0807

Alternatively, you may give online. Please go to the University of Wisconsin's Foundation secure website,https://supportuw.org/give/

Cress Center
6021 University Ave.
Madison, WI 53705
608-238-8406

Tributes

Janet Weissman-Voigt wrote on Aug 5, 2017:

"Sending our love to Larry, Lisa, Martin, Miles and the whole family. Love, Janet, Keith, Alex and Zach Voigt"

Nils Ringe wrote on Jul 30, 2017:

"It was always a real pleasure to see Sol at university lectures and other events. His dedication to learning and -- more importantly -- helping and enabling others to learn, his optimism about the power of education, and his belief in the importance of understanding history and drawing lessons from abroad provide an example to us all. I will always remember him fondly. He will be greatly missed around Bascom Hill!"

Marc Silberman wrote on Jul 28, 2017:

"Sol was a history buff who not only told anecdotes from his colorful past in Germany and Switzerland but also engaged in significant archival research. His 2012 book on Charles Bedeaux is a real treasure. His contributions to the UW Center for German and European Studies and his participation in our lectures and events were highly appreciated. I'll miss Sol and his wonderful sense of humor."

Myra Marx Ferree wrote on Jul 28, 2017:

"Sol was a great lunch date! I always enjoyed meeting with him to talk about European and German matters -- he rarely was interested in second-guessing the current decision-makers on either side of the Atlantic, and was instead eager to engage "the younger generation" in building bridges of understanding. He told great stories about his experiences after WWII but also was really interested in hearing about what students were thinking. He was committed to building another generation of Americans who knew and cared about things European, both as a value in its own right and as a source of peace-making in a world that needs it. Getting a chapter of the ACG into Madison was the first project we collaborated on, and it was and is a great success for him and his vision. I will miss his insights, his commitment and his great conversation. My condolences on your loss. "

Elizabeth E. Covington wrote on Jul 28, 2017:

"Dear Dick and Laura, Larry and Lisa and families, I learned so much for your Dad over the eight years I knew him. He was one of those special persons from the "Greatest Generation" and I will sorely miss his knowledge and experience in Germany and Europe. And his sense of humor. He was a committed transatlanticist, and I will remember him fondly. I'm so sorry for your loss. Elizabeth Covington"

Jean Weissburg wrote on Jul 16, 2017:

"Sol was my neighbor and friend for ten years while living in Gardd Parc condos. He will be greatly missed. Jean Weissburg"

Pamela Potter wrote on Jul 10, 2017:

"We are all so sorry to hear of Sol's passing and offer our condolences to the entire Bloomenkranz family. Sol was an amazing man and a true friend who shared our passion for furthering knowledge about German and Europe, and we are all grateful that we had the opportunity to work with him and, especially, to get to know him personally and benefit from his wisdom, his wit, and his generosity of spirit. Pamela Potter (CGES)"