Birth date: Jan 24, 1930 Death date: May 10, 2016
WILLARD JACOB MADSEN, 86 LAKELAND - Willard Jacob Madsen passed 5/10/16. Survived by loving wife, Dorothea Mary (Roch) Madsen;son, Lawrence Roch Madsen; daughter, Debbie Marie Madsen; 5 grandchildren, Brion Madsen, James Bowman, Read Obituary
Both Willard and his wife, Dot, came to Kansas Association of the Deaf conference in 2009 for its 100th Anniversary, which I chaired. It was a honor having them there and celebrate with us. I've met him and his wife at few occasions at KAD Conferences and ASLTA (in Florida in 2007). I will never forget Willard and his wife, Dot for their kindness, humor, and passion for all things Kansas. My deepest regret is not staying in touch with Willard. You are in my prayers. May his memory be eternal and rest in peace. ~ Shane P. Dundas, Washington, D.C. (Kansas native).
One of my earliest memories of Will's kindness was when I started working for him. Will hired me as his assistant for the Office of Sign Language Evaluation which began my journey at Gallaudet in 1994. He was so thoughtful and patient with me and my limited signing skills.
My previous employment was in the legal field and the office was quite loud with lots of arguing points and debating issues. Will was concerned when I started working because it was so quiet -- just the two of us, and my first Deaf working environment. He thought the silence might lead me to quitting so he came up with a plan. When I arrived to work the next day, Will was already there with a stand and a small TV sitting next to my desk. He had the TV on a talk show, and said, "You can have this on while you work so it will be like your previous working environments with conversation in the room. I really want you to stay." After about a month with the TV, I assured him I wasn't going anywhere and didn't have a need for the TV.
His thoughtfulness, kindness, generosity and patience were overflowing. I look back on our days together and it makes me smile. He opened his heart, his life and his family to me and changed my life forever. I had the blessings of learning about this wonderful man, through him becoming connected to the Deaf Community, and most importantly, growing into the person I am. He touched my life!!
You were my boss, my dear friend, my adviser, and my cheerleader! THANK GOODNESS our paths crossed in 1994. I Love You!!
Marti
Godspeed. Willard was my boss while I was one of ASL teachers in the Sign Language Program at Gallaudet University for several years. We had a lot of fun doing impromptu skits at the annual Silent Week Retreat for new GU professors/Staff. I still have the VHS tapes of those skits.
