Alton D. Block

MADISON, WIS. - Alton D. Block, age 89 passed away at Don & Marilyn Anderson HospiceCare Center following a courageous battle with cancer on August 4, 2010. He was known for his sense of humor, wing tip shoes, and dress hat collection. He was widely known in the agricultural community, Kiwanis and numerous organizations. He was a lay speaker at the First Methodist churches in Shawano, Waupun, and Madison. Alton graduated from Eau Claire Senior High School in 1938. He attended the Eau Claire State Teacher's College then enrolled at the University of Wisconsin - Madison. With the sudden death of his father in 1940, he returned home to operate the farm for three years. Alton entered military service in the U.S. Army Signal Corp in 1943. He joined his unit as a cryptographer in Austria, five days before the end of W.W.II. Upon receiving an honorable discharge in August, 1946, he returned to the University of Wisconsin - Madison and achieved his Master's Degree in 1953. Alton was a member of the Delta Theta Sigma agricultural fraternity and was presented their lifetime achievement award in 2009. Alton was a Director of World Dairy Expo, serving on the very first Board of Directors. He was one of the pioneers that started this event that is world class today. In 1977 Alton Block founded Agri Management Group where he specialized in personnel recruiting and agri-business consulting. He is survived by his wife Helen Block of Middleton and children: Cynthia (Barry Boland) Block Boland, of Cottage Grove; Debra (Peter Labruna) Block Labruna, of Denville, NJ; Kevin Block, of Browns Mills, NJ; and Gary Block, of Scottsdale, AZ; his sister Doris Gebhardt, of Old Tappan, NJ; and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Cora Block. The family wishes to express their grateful appreciation to Dr. McFarland and Don & Marilyn Anderson HospiceCare Center. A Memorial Gathering will be held on Sunday, September 26, 2010, at HospiceCare Inc., 5395 E. Cheryl Parkway, Madison. Friends are invited to gather for a time of celebration at 1:30 p.m. There will be a special program at 2 p.m. with reception to follow. In lieu of flowers make donations to First United Methodist Church, 203 Wisconsin Ave., Madison, WI 53703 or the Don & Marilyn Anderson HospiceCare Center, 5395 E. Cheryl Pkwy, Madison, WI 53711.