IRVING W. ZIRBEL Born: August 6, 1928 Died: December 20, 2016 

The world has just lost one of its few remaining Renaissance men. Irving Walter Zirbel died after fighting a tough battle against Alzheimer's.

Childhood 

Irv was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on August 6, 1928. He was the second child of four (Harold, Irv, Irene, and Richard) born to Richard and Norma Zirbel. While the family lived on a policeman's salary during the Great Depression, the Zirbel children had devoted and caring parents. Some of Irv's fondest memories were of doing anything with his older brother, as well as family camping trips around Wisconsin. As he got older, and World War II required gas rationing, Irv and his older brother used 'white gas' (camping gas) to tool around in the family's old car. The 'white gas' produced a cloud of smoke trailing behind the car. For Irv, those were the days, and resulted in him having a love for cars (usually fast cars), that lasted for his entire life.

Education 

Irv was blessed with two attributes that led to educational excellence. He was the product of an immigrant family that stressed a strong work and educational ethic. Success was expected. Perhaps more importantly, Irv was born with a photographic memory. This allowed Irv to graduate first in his: grade school; middle school; high school; college; and law school.

Irv graduated from Washington High School in Milwaukee in 1946. He then graduated Marquette University with the dual majors of philosophy and zoology (1950). Two years later he graduated from Marquette University's law school with the honor of magna cum laude.

Early Work History 

Because Irv grew up during the Great Depression, wearing his older brother's handme downs, including shoes. He began working at a very young age. At age 8, Irv began selling magazines door to door. He then advanced to cemetery worker/ grave digger with brother Harold, to welder, to Harley Davidson assembler, to the high paying commission job of Canada Dry Beverages route driver.

From this early work background, Irv maintained two staunch principals that he kept his entire life. First, you worked, worked hard, and didn't complain---regardless of the job. Second, anyone who has a job, no matter their position, deserves respect.

Athletics 

In their early youth, Irv and his older brother Harold were part of a neighborhood athletic group called the 'Lucky Sevens'. They played all sports together at the local Boys Club. However, when Irv and his brother got to high school, they became known as the 'Zirbel Boys' and they excelled in football. Harold played tackle and Irv played right next to him as end. Both brothers were 'All-State' selections, and both received scholarships to play football at Marquette University.

However, in college while Harold continued to excel in football, Irv quickly concluded that his path to a better future would be with his mind.

After college, Irv continued to remain physically active. During noon hours, he exercised at the Milwaukee Athletic Club, and when he moved to Arizona he had a small gym built next to his office for work-outs. And, for more than 40 years Irv played social tennis --- even into his late 70's.

Love And Marriage

Irv married his high school sweetheart. They remained married for 62 years. Irv's gal was a beautiful athletic 'Finn' named Audrey Sandbecka. Irv usually called her Sandy in private. The two meet at a turnaround dance in high school and continued to be together until Audrey's death in 2012.

Irv and Audrey were a team. For years, they belonged to dance clubs and practiced 'swing-steps' to music on their Hi-Fi stereo. In the 1950s which was an age where the husband was supposed to only be the bread winner, they co-parented.

When their kids were finally out of the house Irv and Audrey began to travel. To Egypt, China, Australia, Spain, Peru -and then all over South America, they went everywhere. And when the rigors of older age began encroaching, they settled on traveling to two great spots - Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, in the winter, and Sedona, in the summer.

Not surprisingly, Irv and Audrey tried to end each day, by reading together. They would sit at their kitchen table trading newspapers and magazines, like the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Scientific American, and othersdiscussing the topics in the articles.

Professional Practice

Irv was a gentleman and an honorable lawyer. He obtained his law degree before postage stamp law degrees were the norm.

In his career, starting as a Judge Advocate in the United States Air Force, Irv Zirbel tried over 200 cases to verdict. He argued more than 15 cases before the United States Supreme Court, Federal Court of Appeals, and the Wisconsin Supreme Court.

While Irv's legal career started in the Air Force it continued in private practice. Irv was a civil trial lawyer licensed in three separate states. In total during his career, he directly handled or was co-counsel on cases in 13 different states.

In 1979, Irv was inducted into the American College of Trial Lawyers and later listed in 'The Best Lawyers in America.' Over the years, Irv served as President/Chairman of the local Federal Bar Association, Milwaukee Bar Association, and Wisconsin's Bar Grievance Committee.

He went after lawyer's who failed to conduct themselves ethically.

In a day where many people seem to think that excess verbiage is a talent, Irv was trained and followed the military practice espoused by General Dwight D. Eisenhower at that time--- that is 'it takes much more skill and talent to be clear and concise.' And Irv was.

Mentorship

Irv was a phenomenal teacher and mentor. His skill crossed all areas of life---to teaching a child about building a fort, to helping a young lawyer prepare for an effective cross-examination. The thing about Irv was that he never lectured from an ivory tower, never got mad, never raised his voice---he taught by just 'give and take banter'.

Irv was one of the few people in the modern era who actually understood and practiced the Socratic method. Perhaps from his Marquette University undergraduate philosophy courses or his law school education, Irv followed the practice and belief that everyone can learn and distill the right answer to anything by discussion, thought, and properly tailored questions. Irv taught everyone, without lecturing or teaching anyone.

Further, and perhaps more importantly, Irv was of the firm belief that there was not a subject or a concept that anyone and everyone could not understand---if it was presented properly. He always said, that if Einstein could make the difficult concept of The Theory of Relativity easy enough for people to understand (with his formula E=mc2), then anything else should be simple. He felt that in most cases, if someone who was really trying could not understand something, most likely it was the instructors fault.

As a young man, Irv was a faculty member at the Air University (U.S.A.F). He had Top Secret clearance. He was a lecturer in law at the Air War College, and the Air Command & Staff College. He served as a military trial counsel at the Air University Command and worked as a Judge Advocate. He retired from the Air Force as a Major.

Later in life, Irv lectured annually on the topic of malpractice to students at the Marquette University's Dental School and at the Medical College of Wisconsin. In the 1980s he co-authored a book for doctors on the subject of malpractice. And just like Irv, the book was short, simple, and insightful---even with key points in the margins, in case a reader only had the time to scan things.

Irv also gave dozens of speeches and seminars as a part of various state continuing legal education seminars. 

Civic & Community Activities

Just like his wife who was a life- long volunteer, Irv also learned early on, that part of a person's obligation for living on the earth, was to try to make it better. Throughout his life, Irv did this in many ways In Milwaukee, Irv with Audrey worked on the United Way Campaigns. Irv served more than 25 years in the Professional Division, as both a Team Captain and District Chairman. This was in addition to his public service as an: alderman, City Council representative; and member of various commissions and committees in the suburban city of Brookfield, Wisconsin. In fact, it was through Irv's efforts and vision that the City of Brookfield became one of Milwaukee's premier suburbs. In Brookfield, Irv founded the City's Fourth of July Celebration. He created the City's re-forestation program and promoted the building of its first library. Ultimately, he was given the City's Outstanding Citizen Award.

Irv was not a Catholic, but in a time long ago he attended and graduated from a Catholic University. In fact, he became a Life Member of the President's Council of Marquette University. Later, he used to usher with his son, at his son's church, although he was not even a member. In fact, one of his annual highpoints was to usher with his son during the Christmas Eve midnight service, and then race to his office to get his grandchildren's Christmas gifts (which he kept hidden in a closet). Irv had a strong belief in God, in Jesus Christ, and a certainty as to an after-life. However, over the years he did not necessarily accept the manufactured tenets of one specific church or Christian view over others.

On the political front, Irv was also strong member of his party. Over the decades, he was a Precinct Committeeman, District Chairman, and State Committeeman. Beyond such matters, with his wife, he worked regularly on candidate petitions, voter registrations, and precinct captain training.

Greatest Asset

Irv's greatest asset was balance.

He believed that success in business, law, or anything could be relatively easy, if that was one's sole striving goal. The difficulty came from adding family, friends, religion, health, and everything else in life into the mix.

Irv achieved this goal. He was a great husband, father, grandfather, lawyer, civic leader, and friend -- all in one mix. He was fun to be around. Irv had a 'Cheshire cat smile' and a quick dry wit. He had a commanding presence without striving to be the center of attention.

Conclusion

Irv was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years (Audrey L. Zirbel), his parents (Richard and Norma Zirbel), and his eldest brother (Harold Zirbel). He is survived by his two children (Karen Zick, Craig Zirbel), their spouses (Jim Zick, Lisa Zirbel), his three grandchildren (Corey Zick, Samuel Zirbel, Callie Zirbel), a sister (Irene Peplinski), and a brother (Richard Zirbel).

Per his request, Irv elected to donate his brain to the Sun Health Research Institute in an effort to help find a cure for Alzheimer's Disease. And also per his wishes, Irv's body has been cremated, his ashes will be combined with those of his loving wife, and the two will have their ashes scattered together in their favorite places.

Please say a prayer for this remarkable man, and perhaps more importantly - Get up, get going, and do something great with the rest of your life!

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