John Hall Macarthur Lederer

MADISON - John Hall MacArthur Lederer died Thursday, March 12, 2009, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison. He was born on April 24, 1948, in Columbia, South Carolina, the son of Jordan and Grace (McGill) Lederer. He and Karen Larson were married on June 8, 1969, in St. Louis, MO. Their son James was born in 1978 and son Andrew in 1979. John graduated from Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts, in 1965. He attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison and received his law degree from UW in 1973. After clerking for Judge Walter E. Hoffman of the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Virginia, he returned to Madison and joined the Dewitt Law Firm, where he practiced law until 1991. For many years after his retirement, John was actively involved with the technology committee of the Wisconsin State Bar Association. He was a man of great wit, intellect and kindness. John was a voracious reader and web surfer with varied interests, including classical history and literature, travel, collecting old tools, and computer technology. He enjoyed spirited, but always friendly, discussions on timely topics such as politics, climate change and the state of higher education. He is survived by his wife Karen; his two sons, James of Monticello, WI, and Andrew (Julia) Lederer of Oregon, WI, and granddaughter Taylor; his “surrogate” daughter Penny Nangle (Dave Alarie) of Verona, WI, and their children Nathan and Sara ; his two brothers, Jordan (and son Ned) of California, and Jim of Florida; his sister-in-law Margaret (Larry) Weintraub of Clayton, MO (and sons David and Alex); his Aunt Jane Lederer Northcross of Memphis, TN and her children; and his beloved dog Beaker and grandpuppies Moose and Jazmin. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jordan and Grace. A Memorial Service will be held Thursday, March 19, at 5:00 p.m. at Gates of Heaven, located in James Madison Park, 614 East Gorham Street, Madison, WI. A reception at Gates of Heaven will follow the service. All Faiths Funeral Home 866.255.3248, www.866allfaiths.com) is assisting the family. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to the American Heart Association.