Dr. Ralph and Madge Day were well-known and highly regarded residents of the Platteville community for more than 55 years. Ralph, who established his veterinary practice in Platteville in 1957, died in April; Madge passed away three years earlier.
Both were born and raised in Southwest Wisconsin. Madge grew up in the Livingston area, graduating from Livingston High School. Ralph attended Highland High School, graduated from Rewey High School, and completed his undergraduate degree at UW–Platteville. He continued his education at UW–Madison before earning his terminal degree from the University of Minnesota Veterinary School. The Days were very active in the Platteville community and were often seen participating in Boy Scouts, United Methodist Church, Platteville Country Club, VFW, and service club activities and attending events at UW–Platteville. Ralph Day served on the board of directors of First National Bank of Platteville, including being chairman of the board.
UW–Platteville is an important part of the family’s past, present, and future. Each of Ralph and Madge’s seven children attended UW–Platteville in addition to many in-laws and multiple grandchildren. Madge’s mother and aunts were graduates of the Platteville Normal School and several of Ralph and Madge’s siblings attended the university.
“I am joined by my sisters — Judy Wilson, Kathy Carey, and Mary Schambow — and my brothers — Steve, Don and Dan — in creating this perpetual scholarship,” said Bill Day. “We grew up as active participants in this community, often working with our parents as they supported the community. It is important to share the history of those who built this community and to remember those builders often. As Platteville High School graduates, we are honored to work with the Community Foundation and the PHS Scholarship Fund to provide the Dr. Ralph and Madge Day Memorial Scholarship, to be given annually to a PHS graduate who will attend UW–Platteville.”
Established in 2010, the PHS Scholarship Fund’s mission is to expand access to post-secondary education for the students of the Platteville School District. The fund fulfills this mission primarily by working with the community to accumulate monies for scholarships. The number and value of scholarships has grown substantially for each subsequent class.
The PHS Scholarship Fund is affiliated with the Community Foundation of Southern Wisconsin, a tax exempt 501(c)(3) public charity. For further information or to establish a named scholarship endowment fund, contact PHS Fund Advisory Board Chair Sheila Kelley, 348-2615, sheilak@kopplaw.net, or CFSW Donor Services Representative Barb Daus, 778-3344, barb@cfsw.org.
