Brian W. Schremp

MIDDLETON - Our beloved Brian Schremp, 70, died Wednesday, March 28, 2018. He bravely endured pain and disability for 45 years after a near-fatal auto accident in the Florida Keys at age 23. He died of T-cell lymphoma, peacefully and surrounded by love, at the VAs awesome hospice. Among many other things, he was a sonar tech in the U.S. Navy in the early 1970s (scanning for Russian subs); he earned a B.A. (1990) from Beloit College in Economics and Theater Arts. He was a wonderful husband to Mary Hollinger; a loving father to two sons, Alex and Ryan, and a loving stepdad to Sarah and Aaron Becker; a loving grandpa to Blake Becker; sweet brother to Bonnie Agen of Milwaukee and Joan Fischer of Fort Atkinson; and uncle to Mike Fischer. He dearly loved his grandchildren, Carmen and Collin Schremp. Despite his serious injuries, painful medical conditions and eventual paraplegia, he enjoyed a life of great accomplishment and adventure. He enjoyed acting in plays at Beloit College and also worked with close friends to publish the Beloit College News; he was a video producer and editor for Dr. Earth Calling SOS (Dr. Reese Halter) which was shown on MSNBC several times; he was a member of the board of the WHALE Center (international environmental organization). He was a mediator, arbitrator and board member for the NASD Dispute Resolution Center, who presented and won a Florida Supreme Court case making it legal for non-attorneys to serve as mediators and arbitrators in the State of Florida. A man of great knowledge and wisdom with an unbelievably wide range of skills and a passion for technology, politics, art, music, performing arts, flying, sailing, and cool cars, Brian was also a kind and generous friend to massive numbers of people who loved the guy as much as we - his very lucky family - did. He was a thrill-seeker (aerobatics, fast boats, fast cars). Stepping out of a Pitts bi-plane after an early solo flight performing aerobatics (before the paraplegia), Brian had such a huge ecstatic smile pasted on his face that I, Mary Hollinger, coined the following new mental health diagnosis, Post Ecstatic Joy Disorder. Thats how he rolled, this great old larger-than-life one-time sailor, hippie, professional, and highly insightful political progressive voice. He was also road manager to David Allan Coe, (of outlaw country music fame). Soon after I first met him in 1993, a friend of his described him as the kindest man Ive ever known in my life. He lived a giant, wonderful life, and finally slid into home base leaving his loving family and friends to say, Wow, he really knocked it out of the park! A celebration of life will be held at First Unitarian Society, Madison, in April (exact date forthcoming). All Faiths Funeral & Cremation Services Madison (608)442-0477 www.866allfaiths.com