Ron “Coach” Unke

Unke, “Coach” Ron,

Was peacefully called home to the Lord on Thursday, April 26th, 2018 at the age of 86. Beloved husband of the late Carol (nee Gaulke). Dear brother of Arlene and Charlotte. Preceded in death by his parents Elmer and Harriet, and Carol’s parents Edgar and Margaret Gaulke.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, May 6th from 12PM-3PM at the WISCONSIN LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL AUDITORIUM, 330 Glenview Ave, with the funeral service to follow at 3PM. Private interment Arlington Park Cemetery.

Ron was a tremendous athlete and starred in baseball, basketball, and football at Lutheran High School where he graduated in 1949. In his sophomore year (age 15), he was picked to represent the U.S. All Stars to play the New York All Stars in the famous “Polo Grounds”. They practiced in Yankee Stadium and played in front of 30,000 fans.
Ron then went to UW Madison where he got his B.S. and M.S. degrees. He got a baseball scholarship and pitched the first “no hitter” in Badger baseball history in 1953. That year Ron was picked as the M.V.P. and signed with the St. Louis Cardinals where he played for 3 years.

He accepted a call to teach and coach at Wisconsin Lutheran High School in 1956, where he coached basketball, baseball, football, and wrestling. 41 years later he retired with many fond memories of championships and great kids.

Ron served 2 terms on the National “W” Club Board of Directors in Madison. He also was selected in the first Hall of Fame at Wisconsin Lutheran High School, the Wisconsin Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame, and Old Time Ball Players Hall of Fame. Ron also coached at Brewers Baseball Camps for 15 years, and was a great fan of Badgers, Packers, and Brewers.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Ron and Carol Unke Scholarship Fund at Wisconsin Lutheran High School appreciated.