2013 Senate Joint Resolution 75
ENROLLED JOINT RESOLUTION
Relating to: the life and the military and public service of Gerald L. Trumm.
Whereas, Gerald L. "Jerry" Trumm was born May 7, 1947, in Boscobel, Wisconsin, and died November 1, 2013; and
Whereas, Jerry earned his bachelor's degree in biology in 1969 at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, while working at the Nelson Dewey State Park in Cassville; and
Whereas, upon graduation, Jerry began his career with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources by accepting a full-time fisheries position as a conservation aide at the Wild Rose Fish Habitat Station in Wild Rose; and
Whereas, on December 5, 1969, Jerry was inducted into the United States Army as a member of Echo Recon 1/5 First Air Cavalry in Vietnam and acquired the nickname "Degree" from his fellow comrades because he was the only one in his unit with a college degree; and
Whereas, during the invasion of Cambodia in June 1970, Jerry sustained numerous injuries on the field of battle, which compelled him to convalesce in various military hospitals around the world for nearly a year in order to obtain treatment for his combat wounds and malaria; and
Whereas, before receiving a medical discharge on June 8, 1971, Jerry was awarded the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, and Army Commendation Medals for his brave and noble service to our great country; and
Whereas, after his return from military service, Jerry resumed his work at the Wild Rose Fish Habitat Station in August 1971; and
Whereas, Jerry transferred to the State Parks system in 1972 and began serving, for nearly four decades of his life, as the manager of Cadiz Springs State Park in Browntown, the assistant manager at Interstate State Park in St. Croix Falls, the assistant superintendent at Kettle Moraine State Forest Park in Eagle, and as the superintendent and special conservation warden of Mirror Lake and Rocky Arbor State Parks near the Wisconsin Dells; and
Whereas, while at Mirror Lake and Rocky Arbor State Parks in 1987, Jerry crafted the first candlelight ski event for the Wisconsin State Parks system, which continues to be a popular winter attraction every year throughout the state, and played a fundamental role in the restoration of the Seth Peterson Cottage, in several major land acquisitions, including the Ishnala property, and in the completion of the Mirror Lake-Dell Creek Master Plan; and
Whereas, for his determination and commitment to developing a strong working relationship with the Seth Peterson Conservancy and the Ho-Chunk Nation and for his quick response and leadership to the major storm that struck Mirror Lake State Park, Jerry was presented with the Property of the Year Award in 1998; and
Whereas, Jerry retired from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources on July 10, 2004, following 37 years of dedicated service to the citizens of Wisconsin; and
Whereas, Jerry remained involved in the community by donating his time to the Lake Delton Volunteer Fire Department and serving as an emergency medical service technician from 1980 through 1991, retiring as the assistant chief, and along with this, he was an active member of the Poynette Curling Club and the Dekorra Lutheran Church; and
Whereas, Jerry was husband to Donna for 45 years, and during this period, they raised three children, Ryan Trumm, Robin (Miloni) Trumm, and Laura (Jeffrey) Eckert, while instilling in them the values of being civically engaged and giving back to their communities in order to help their communities grow into stronger places to live and raise future generations of families; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the senate, the assembly concurring, That the members of the Wisconsin legislature commend the life and the military and public service of Gerald L. "Jerry" Trumm, mourn his passing, extend their condolences to his family and friends, and forever remember his sacrifices to the United States of America and the state of Wisconsin.
