- Date Of Birth: August 8, 1935
- Date Of Death: April 21, 2011
- State: Arizona
James (Jim) John Bartosch, a man of strength, passion and presence, has gone gently into that good night on Holy Thursday, April 21, 2011. He was born August 8, 1935 as first generation American of Bohemian heritage to parents Leopold and Louise Bartosch. Raised in Wauwatosa, WI, Jim grew up with a love of life and many interests including cars, aircraft and trains. He was a musician of recognition – having played a range of brass instruments, and for the Milwaukee Symphony as a teenager. Having first discovered his passion for aircraft via the Civil Air Patrol, he proudly served the country he loved in the U.S.A.F. from 1953 -1957. He was selected to play in the U.S.A.F. band. He continued his life as a Korean War veteran and passionate conservative citizen. His daughters followed suit, also U.S.A.F. veterans.
Following his Honorable Discharge, Jim attended Marquette University where he met the woman he loved deeply for over 51 years, Adell (Del) A. Gainor. They married on December 26, 1959. They had two children Nancy L. (Bartosch) Richardson in 1960 and Bernice A. Bartosch in 1962. Jim raised his family with pride and deep convictions, a passion to help others, hearty belly laughs and a bawdy sense of humor. As a father, grandfather, uncle, son and brother – family was so important to him. What held his heart the most was his role as husband. Jim and Adell had many decades of love and laughter, with a sense of exploration that led to boating adventures in Wisconsin and Florida, and frequent road trips in the southwest.
Jim had a career that began with a passion for technology that ranged from supporting the Mercury and Apollo space missions, graduating with his Masters from Arizona State University with honors, to Vice President of marketing of a company that manufactured noise and vibration equipment. He was fond of saying that his fingerprints are on the moon, in which his family takes great pride. Jim had a passion for all things technical, and a keen memory for every vehicle he encountered. His family and friends were in awe of his ability to name the model and year of nearly all automobiles, boats, trains, and any aircraft in flight.
Jims’ sharp wit, laughter, talks and bear hugs will be forever missed by his wife Del, daughters Nancy and Bernie, his granddaughters Lauren and Madelyn, and his son-in-law Craig Richardson – loved as a son. Sharing in the loss of this amazing man is Jim’s sister Dolores and her husband Dr. Franz Rinecker – long loved as a brother, along with their children Dr. Michael Rinecker, Christina and Monica
