Martin J. Callaway Endowed Scholarship

Upon graduation from La Farge High School in 1952, Marty joined the US Navy for a four year term. He then attended Platteville State Teacher’s College with the desire to become a teacher. When he discovered that college wasn’t for him, he joined the US Air Force for a four year hitch during the Korean War. Marty was stationed in Germany where he repaired air craft and delivered supplies to various bases. He liked his work, but he missed his wife Mary and son Rick, so he decided to leave the Air Force upon completion of his four year hitch.

Marty rejoined his family in Wisconsin, and in 1961 began his plumbing apprenticeship with A.J. Roob Co of Sun Prairie, WI. An opportunity to apprentice with R.H. Lovold in La Crosse arose, and he took it. During his apprenticeship he was sponsored by Walter Neibuhr and attended night classes at Coleman Vocational School, and completed his apprenticeship in 1965.He was initiated into Local 31 Plumber and Steam Fitters union (now Local 434 Mosinee, WI). He became a licensed Journeyman Plumber in 1965, and a Master Plumber on April 16, 1984. He served as Business Agent for Local 31 1981- 1986. He retired from the plumbing business in 1987, and was honored for his 60 year membership in the United Association of Plumbing and Pipe Fitting industry of the US and Canada on Jan. 22, 2022.

While he was plumbing, Marty missed the military, so he joined the Seabee Naval Unit as a reservist. Following his retirement from plumbing, he returned full-time to the Navy. He officially retired from the Navy in 1994.

Marty needed to be with people, so he went to work as a Courtesy Driver at Eversole Motors and Dahl Ford. He enjoyed being a volunteer, and could be found driving veterans to the Tomah VA weekly as well as volunteering at the VA hospital, delivering Mobile Meals, and helping at the Red Cross. He made time for friends, cards, golf, traveling, and most of all his family. Martin and his wife, Mary were blessed with 5 children, 6 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren, a step granddaughter and a step great-grandson.

Marty was an avid Packers Fan, and a 2018 Jefferson Award recipient. He passed away on Dec. 31, 2022.