Squadron History

The Madison Power Squadron was awarded its charter from the Governing Board of the United States Power Squadrons at the annual meeting in Florida on 16 January 1960.

The following sixteen charter members transferred from the Milwaukee Power Squadron to launch the beginning of the Madison Power Squadron:

The story begins in the fall of 1958 when the sixteen boating enthusiasts convinced fellow members of the Milwaukee Power Squadron to teach Piloting in Madison. After the course was completed in the spring of 1959, most of the sixteen continued with Seamanship and Advance Piloting Courses. The group recognized the need to advance their skills in order to perpetuate the organization. Keeping that goal in mind, the Madison members commuted to Milwaukee for Seamanship while the Milwaukee volunteers commuted to Madison to teach Advanced Piloting.

P/Lt/C Arnold Kuster, AP, chaired the first elective course, Instructor Qualification (IQ) while taking it himself. Again, members of the Milwaukee Power Squadron stepped forward to help Madison by proctoring the exam.

The late P/D/C Merle Brose, N, and P/C Fred Stauffer, N, became Madison's first JN and N graduates, receiving their instruction again through the help of the Milwaukee Power Squadron. The early efforts of the charter members to complete advanced grades, particularly the navigation courses, received District recognition. Their efforts earned the Madison Power Squadron the "Prince Henry the Navigator" Award. (This most prestigious award recently came back to Madison in 1997 and 1998.)

Forty one different Commanders have served the Madison Power Squadron, three serving consecutive terms. We've also been fortunate over the years to have several members serve on the District Bridge, with three members having gone on to serve as District 10 Commander...

P/D/C Merle L. Brose, N, (1975-1976), deceased
P/D/C Edward J. Boyer, N (1984-1985)
P/D/C Trygve Thoresen, AP (1989-1990)

The survival and success of the Madison Power Squadron can certainly be traced back to the days when members of the Milwaukee Sail and Power Squadron taught, proctored, and mentored a small and varied group of interested boaters. The significance of the gesture is not forgotten after forty years, so we take the time to say "Thank You" to the Milwaukee Sail and Power Squadron.

Historical Perspectives is an abridged version of a supplement written by William Bush on 25 January 1960 and reprinted in the 1990 Change of Watch Program, commemorating the 30th anniversary of the Madison Power Squadron.

Past Commanders:

1960 - 1961         Robert J. Nickles, Jr., AP (deceased)
1961 - 1962         Richard E. Ela, Jr. P
1962 - 1963         Warren H. Tetzlaff, AP (deceased)
1963 - 1964         Edward C. Brandt
1964 - 1965         Robert O. McLean (deceased)
1965 - 1966         Michael Lysenko (deceased)
1966 - 1967         William Von Rutenberg, P
1967 - 1968         Fred Stauffer, N
1968 - 1969         Arthur J. Dick
1969 - 1970         William J. Eggenberger, AP
1970 - 1971         Eugene C. Lippert, AP
1971 - 1972         Gilbert B. Tybring, N (deceased)
1972 - 1973         Lelwyn Pease (deceased)
1973 - 1974         P/D/C Merle L. Brose, N (deceased)
1974 - 1975         James J. McCarthy, N
1975 - 1976         Gary A. Graham
1976 - 1977         Clifton J. McGraw
1977 - 1978         Fred L. Haring, AP
1978 - 1979         Gerald J. Borseth
1979 - 1980         P/D/C Edward J. Boyer, N (deceased)
1980 - 1981         Anthony L. Russos
1981 - 1982         Stephen J. Rotar, N (deceased)
1982 - 1983         P/D/C Trygve E. Thoresen, AP (deceased)
1983 - 1984         Fred R. Nelson, P
1984 - 1985         Donald R. Usher
1985 - 1986         Lester V. Watters, AP
1986 - 1987         Lester V. Watters, AP
1987 - 1988         Jeffrey J. Meyer, JN
1988 - 1989         Jeffrey J. Meyer, JN
1989 - 1990         Stephen J. Bonner, JN
1990 - 1991         Terry L. Mann, N
1991 - 1992         Milton R. Smith, N
1992 - 1993         Glenn A. Deedon, AP
1993 - 1994         Donald A. Holcomb, Jr., N (deceased)
1994 - 1995         Robert N. Story, AP
1995 - 1996         John B. Finstad, JN
1996 - 1997         Richard J. Zellers, AP
1997 - 1998         Mary Lu Zellers, AP
1998 - 1999         Stephen M. Bruns, N
1999 - 2000         James Pahl-Washa, JN
2000 - 2001         Bob Niemi, N
2001 - 2002         Bob Niemi, SN
2002 - 2003         Mike Klenke, AP
2003 - 2004         Richard Baker, P
2004 - 2005         Robert Hohert, AP
2005 - 2006         Cindy Parisi, P
2006 - 2007         Cindy Parisi, P
2007 - 2008         Jack Stone, AP
2008 - 2009         Jack Stone, AP
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