DELAVAN - Joseph Craig Fehsenfeld, age 68, of Delavan Lake passed away on Tuesday, August 29, 2023 at home. He was born on March 15, 1955 in Chicago, Illinois. Joe attended Glenbrook South High School in Glenview, Illinois where he met his high school sweetheart, Debbie Bates. Married in December of 1977, Joe and Debbie had three children and resided in Barrington Hills, Illinois.
Strong willed, optimistic, and a truly independent thinker, Joe possessed a drive and an unparalleled passion for achievement. He was also never one to follow a trend or a crowd. It was this will and passion along with hard work and dedication that lead him to quit college to start an electronic components manufacturing business. This business would grow into a successful manufacturing company supporting the aerospace industry, department of defense, and advanced medical robotics. He even patented technology for the first Motorola flip cell phone.
Joe was also an active member of the YPO and a founding member of the United States Printed Circuit Alliance (USPCA). Through the USPCA, Joe had some of his fondest memories lobbying for his industry in Washington, along with his daughter, a recent college graduate at the time.
Though a hard worker and a skilled businessman, Joe was not defined by his work. He found joy in every aspect of life, especially his family. He coached soccer and was actively involved in his children’s lives, whether it was traveling to regattas, horse shows, or soccer games. He brought this same level of involvement and love to his grandchildren.
The Delavan Lake Yacht Club was yet another source of joy and a special place for Joe. A life member, he was also an instrumental member of the board from 1992-1998. He enjoyed sailing C-Scows for many years with Greg Gifford as well as Flying Scots with Tom Blackwell. Joe also loved his horses and trail riding at the lake and in Barrington.
Joe married his second wife, Lisa Meechan, on September 20, 2017. To say Lisa brought light, love and happiness to Joe and to the lake house they shared on Delavan would be an understatement. The two welcomed a constant stream of friends and family throughout the summers. The recent addition of a tiki hut on the dock—a perfect spot for sunset viewing—is just one of endless examples.
Joseph is survived by his wife, Lisa; children, Kristen Cooper (Ashley) Caroline, John; Matthew Fehsenfeld (Hannah) Charlotte, Daisy; and Wesley Fehsenfeld (Emily) Caro, Patton; Siblings, Michael Fehsenfeld (Kathy), and Lisa Skorzewski; Lisa’s children, Elizabeth Bostic (Dave) Caitlin, John; and Clara Holmes (Nick) Eden, Valerie, Bridgette. Joseph is preceded in death by his mother, Fay (Christensen) Fehsenfeld, and father Harold Fehsenfeld.
Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, September 2, 2023 at Monroe Funeral Home, 604 E. Walworth Avenue in Delavan. Visitation will be held from 9:30 A.M. until the time of the service on Saturday at the funeral home.
Donations can be made to the Delavan Lake Yacht Club P.O. Box 482 Delavan, WI 53115 to go towards a children’s playground.
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