Harry E. Langman

Langman, Harry E. – Beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend, died surrounded by his loving family on June 9, 2006, after a short but courageous battle with cancer. A lifelong resident of Appleton, Harry was born on February 15, 1931 to the late Harry A. and Mary (Mitchler) Langman. He was a proud member of the Appleton High School Class of 1949. He enlisted in the USAF after graduation and served his country during the Korean Conflict and later in the Air Force Reserve. He was awarded the Air Medal for B-29 action over Korea. Harry married Patricia Hill on October 15, 1954; they celebrated their golden anniversary together in 2004. She survives.
Upon his return from Korea, Harry attended the University of Wisconsin Fox Valley and began his career at Appleton Papers, retiring as Corporate Transportation Manager in 1989. He was a graduate of the Chicago College of Advanced Traffic, and received additional certifications in transportation management and export trade from the University of Wisconsin School of Business in Madison and the World Trade Association in New York.
He was a co-founder and Past President of the Northeast Wisconsin World Trade Association and the Retired Transportation Society. He was actively involved in a number of transportation-related organizations including the Wisconsin Manufacturers Traffic Committee and the Eastern Paper Traffic Conference; and had served as Chairman of the traffic committees of the Wisconsin Paper Group and Wisconsin Paper and Pulp Manufacturers. He was also a Past President of both the Fox River Valley Traffic Club and the Green Bay Chapter of Delta Nu Alpha fraternity.
Harry was an avid golfer and past member of Ridgeway Country Club, Reid’s Men’s Club, and Eagle Links Old Fogey’s Club. He belonged to the American Cribbage Congress, participating in many of their sanctioned competitions while traveling throughout the country with Pat. He attained the rank of Grand Master and qualified and participated 10 times in the A.C.C.’s annual Tournament of Champions in Reno, Nevada. He was a charter member of the A.C.C.’s Grass Roots Club 90 in Appleton where he leaves many cherished friends.
Harry and his Golden Retriever Barney competed and placed in many regional and state obedience trials. Both Harry and Pat participated in the Dog Companion Program at Sanger Powers Correctional Facility, working with inmates to train companion dogs for the disabled. He and Pat also indulged both their love of reading and of children by participating for the last 8 years in the Appleton Public Schools’ “United for Reading Success” program at Highlands and Edna Ferber Grade Schools. He treasured the time he had with the first-graders he tutored over the years. He was greatly saddened when his illness forced him to curtail his participation in this program earlier this year. He enjoyed volunteering his time over the years and will especially miss those friends he met while delivering Meals on Wheels.
Harry adored his family. His wife Pat was his beloved life’s companion. Together they raised four daughters: Barbara Langman and Nancy (Craig) Hollis, Appleton; Jill (Mark) Schwarz, Thornton, Colorado; and the late Kay (Dan) Pollock, Lexington, Kentucky. Harry was a patient, gentle, tolerant father; he gave his daughters the freedom to find their own paths, yet never failed to be there for them when they needed him. They are eternally grateful.
Harry was particularly fortunate in his sons-in-law: Dan, Craig and Mark, their relationships were remarkable. He took a lot of good-natured ribbing from the three of them regarding his often-disastrous attempts at home repair, but he could give as good as he got: he relished beating them in cut-throat cribbage, poker and gin games.
His grandchildren: David Schwarz, Katie and Jim Pollock, and John Hollis, were his pride and joy. They will miss him greatly and cherish the many memories they have of their loving and playful Grandpa. He helped instill in them the values of kindness, tolerance and integrity. He watched with pride as they grew to become accomplished and considerate young adults.
In addition to his immediate family, Harry is survived by his brothers and sisters in-law: James and Jessie Retson, El Cajon, California; Pat and Marilyn Lipscomb, La Mesa, California; Charles and Sandy Hill, Appleton; James and Dottie Hill, Neenah; and Grady and Kathleen Chapman, Land O’Lakes, Florida; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
As well as his parents and his daughter Kay, Harry was preceded in death by his mother and father-in law, Walter and Ann Hill; his sister in-law, Barbara Hill; and his half-siblings and their spouses, Charles (Marge) and George (Audrey) Deeg, and Lillian (Earl) Briggs.
Harry, we will love you forever and remember you always. We know that Kay will be with you. We hope that when you’re not spending time with her or rambling with Barney, you’ll be enjoying a game of cribbage with W.T. or a round of golf with Carl.
A Memorial service for Harry will be held at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 13, 2006, at WICHMANN FUNERAL HOME, 537 North Superior Street. Friends may call from noon Tuesday until the time of services at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established and will be used to benefit the United for Reading Success programs at Appleton Public Schools.
WICHMANN FUNERAL HOME
537 North Superior Street
Appleton 920-739-1231
www.wichmannfuneralhomes.com