Gerald "Mitch" Disch passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones, on March 19, 2024 at the age of 77.

Visitation for Mitch will take place on Friday, March 22, 2024 at Wayland Academy Kimberly Chapel, 101 N. University Ave, Beaver Dam, from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 12:00 p.m.

You may view the funeral service for Mitch here.

He was born on October 21, 1946, in New Glarus, WI to Gerald Jacob Disch and Ann Disch (Mitchell). He graduated from New Glarus High School and received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Beloit College. Soon after, he was drafted out of graduate school and served two years as a medic in the US Army, stationed in Germany. He then returned to Beloit and completed his Master's Degree. Mitch spent three years teaching abroad in Tarsus, Turkey before returning to Wisconsin, where he taught at Mt. Horeb High School. While teaching there and living in Madison, he met his eventual wife Deanna on a blind date. He later joined his late father Gerald in the family business in New Glarus, but quickly realized he much preferred teaching, which he dedicated the rest of his life to.

The bulk of Mitch's career was spent teaching Physics and Astronomy at Wayland Academy in Beaver Dam, excluding a five-year sojourn teaching at Episcopal High School in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He otherwise taught at Wayland until his retirement in 2014. In his decades with the school, he taught and mentored thousands of students, coached football and volleyball, educated the community on astronomy with the help of the telescope on the roof of Wayland's Discovery Hall, and convinced countless of Beaver Dam's elementary school students that "physics is fun" with his annual "Mr. Wizard" science shows. He was also a teacher of teachers, providing workshops through the American Association of Physics Teachers. He received many awards over the years for his dedication to teaching, but was most honored by his Distinguished Service Citation from Wayland Academy, presented to him in 2016 for his distinguished service to the Academy.

In addition to teaching, he loved being the first person in the YMCA gym every morning, often wearing his "Bigger, Faster, Stronger, and I Practice While You Sleep" T-shirt. He enjoyed running, biking, and his many weight-lifting trophies. He loved reading the stack of books he checked out weekly from the Beaver Dam library. He also loved travel, taking his family on yearly roadtrips across the United States and somehow managing to keep his children from strangling one another after ten hours in a minivan. In his later years, he was able to visit Thailand, Kenya, Tanzania, Peru, Poland, Italy, and many other places with his wife.

Most of all though, he loved, and is loved by, his family. He is survived by his wife Deanna, daughter Hilary (Julian Jonker), son Jake (Allison Lee), granddaughter Aletta, sister Judy Hillestad (Richard), sister-in-law Dolores Klister, brother-in-law Dennis Dvorachek (Lynda), sister-in-law Darlene Zirngibl, brother-in-law Elmer Dvorachek (Vicki), sister-in-law Connie Gott (David), and his many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his father Gerald, mother Ann, and brother-in-law, Bud Klister.

His family thanks the VA, whose services made it possible for Mitch to continue receiving care at home, the wonderful caregivers of Home Instead, especially Corinne, Kathleen, and May, and SSM Hospice, whose kindness helped make Mitch's last days with us more comfortable.

They also thank Wayland Academy, for being gracious and kind hosts for his memorial service, and for being a beloved home away from home for many years.

If desired, memorials in Mitch's name may be directed to Wayland Academy, the Michael J. Fox Foundation, or the Beaver Dam Area Community Theater.

Cornerstone Funeral & Cremation Services in Beaver Dam is honored to be serving the family.