Jack C. Trautman

Middleton - Jack C Trautman, age 94, passed away peacefully at his home overlooking the view of Lake Mendota, which he absolutely loved. 

Jack was born in Cushing, OK on Dec 7, 1929, to Carl and Ruby (Kauble) Trautman.  At age 10, he moved to Meridian, ID where Jack and his sister Erma were raised and educated in the Boise area.  Jack earned his BS at the University of Idaho in 1951, MS at the University of California -Davis in 1953, and his PhD at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1958.  Jack was an Assistant Professor at UW Madison in 1958-1959, and at Ohio State 1959-1960.  His love of Madison brought him back and he spent the majority of his career at Oscar Mayer as a food and protein chemist from 1960-1983.  During his time there, Jack founded Scientific Protein Laboratory in Waunakee in 1969.  In 1974, a new plant was built, when they were the world’s leading producer of pepsin, pancreatin, heparin and bovine blood fractions.  Jack loved his scientific work and in 1983 he formed International Biochemical Technology to explore production of animal biologicals in China.  Jack also started Allergen Reduction Inc to develop an enzyme system to eliminate allergens in latex rubber products.  He held several patents for his professional work.

While attending college in Madison, Jack met the love of his life Sally (Williamson) over coffee in the student union at the Rathskeller.  They married on August 10, 1957, and were married for 66 years.  Jack and Sally raised their 3 children, Craig, Michael, and Kristin in Middleton on Lake Mendota.  Jack was very active in his children’s activities including speed skating and hockey.  He always plowed a track and an ice rink with his 1950 Ford tractor which still runs today!  Many weekends were spent traveling out of state to skating meets and hockey tournaments.  Jack was an avid outdoorsman.  He loved his annual Canadian fishing trips with the family, hunting deer and turkey, and fishing with his sons on Lake Erie.  He and Sally loved to snowmobile, and he did so until he was 87 years old.  They appropriately had his and her sleds named “Old Bones” and “Old Broad”. 

Jack had two passions in his life - his research and his family.  He is survived by his loving wife Sally, and his children Craig (Terrie) Trautman, Michael (Joni) Trautman, and Kristin (John) Warnik.  In addition, grandchildren include Logan Trautman, Dan (Michaela) and Alyssa Trautman, Jack and Sydney Warnik, Jason (Victoria) and Mike Audiss, and 8 great grandchildren.

The family would like to thank the staff at Agrace Hospice and Home Instead for their warmth and care that allowed Jack to fulfill his wish of taking his last breath at home, overlooking the view of the lake he so enjoyed. 

Per Jacks request, there will be no service.  A private family service will be held at a later date.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of your choice.

Informed Choice Funeral

& Cremation Alternatives

3325 E. Washington Ave. Madison

(608) 249-6758

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