Edward R. Wagner served as the 22nd President of the Rotary Club of Milwaukee fulfilling his term in 1933 and 1934. His era of leadership was deeply affected by the Great Depression and a mark of his leadership is the fact membership remained constant despite adverse conditions.

Mr. Wagner received all of his formal education in Milwaukee Public Schools including earning his diploma from East Side High School now known as Riverside. He founded E.R. Wagner Manufacturing Company in 1900 when he purchased the Baby Carriage Hardware Department of the American Bicycle Company. The company continues today as an industry leader in a host of manufacturing lines.

Rotary programs during his Presidency concentrated on efforts to understand broad challenges to the economy and world peace. Mr. Wagner hosted the first Past Presidents annual dinner at his home and that tradition continues to this day.

Mr. Wagner’s daughter Jane married Lewis G. Kranick who would become President of the Rotary Club of Milwaukee in 1969.

Dedicated June 2010

Lewis G. Kranick served as the 58th president of the Rotary Club of Milwaukee fulfilling his term in 1969 and 1970. His era of leadership coincided with the emergence of community pride that fostered the return of major league baseball and firm future commitments to the Summerfest festival.

Mr. Kranick earned an undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a graduate degree in business from Harvard University. His professional career was especially noteworthy for investments made in small businesses that were able to expand and provide employment opportunities. He served on the boards of several colleges and was a leader in the 1986 White House Conference on Small Business.

Rotary programs during his Presidency focused on social issues of the day including race relations, poverty, and youth employment. Mr. Kranick was founding President of what has become the Rotary Community Trust that provided initial funds for this Rotary Centennial Arboretum.

His wife, Jane, was the daughter of Edward R. Wagner who served as President of the Rotary Club of Milwaukee in 1933 and 1934.

Dedicated June 2010