Homer Bishop (1912 – 2007)

Homer Charles Bishop, age 95, a resident of Kenosha died Thursday November 30, 2007 at the Hospice House in Pleasant Prairie.

Homer was born on July 25, 1912 in Kenosha to the late Raymond and Gretta (Tillotson) Bishop.

He attended schools in Kenosha, graduating third in his class in 1930.

He married Louise Pribyl on August 17, 1938 in St. Paul, Minnesota.

His education consisted of undergraduate studies at DePauw University in Indiana earning an A.B. Degree, and graduate studies at George Williams College in Illinois, and George Warren Brown School of Social Work at Washington University in St. Louis earning a MSW Degree.

He was inducted into the Military in 1942 in St. Louis. He served overseas in North Africa, Sicily, and Italy. He was discharged in 1945 earning the Bronze Star and campaign stars.

Homer worked with several organizations including the YMCA Boys Work in Kenosha and in Chicago, the Eli Bates Settlement in Chicago, Grace Hill House in St. Louis, and the Southwark House in Philadelphia. He was very involved in Summer Youth camps. He was on the board of several different Community Organizations including Hoy Nature Club of Racine-Kenosha, Girls Scouts of Kenosha County, Kenosha County Historical Society, Legal Action Service, Local Conservation and Nature Sanctuary Programs, just to name a few. He was a part-time instructor during his Graduate years. He was the Executive director of the Columbus Federation of Settlements in Columbus, Ohio from 1961 to 1966. He was also the Associate Director for the Hull House Association in Chicago, Illinois starting in 1966.

He was a consultant for several organizations including YMCA, Girl Scouts of America, YWCA, the Health and Welfare Council and the United Fund. He had several publications published with special regards to the betterment of children.

He had several Professional Associations, including National Association of Social Workers, Council on Social Work Education, National Conference on Social Welfare, American Association of University Professors, National Federation of Settlements and Neighborhood Centers, American Camping Association, and the National Association for Community Development.

He received several awards for his work, most recently the Kenosha County Historical Society Award of Merit in 2000 and a Certificate of Appreciation on Retirement in 2004.

He is survived by his wife Louise, children Judith, Linda, Eric, Gregory, and Deborah; his brother Malcolm; and four grandchildren Joel Condren, Christine Condren, Elena Bishop, and Sylvie Bishop.

He is preceded in death by his parents Raymond and Gretta, and sister Eloise Liddicoat.

A Memorial Service will take place on Saturday, December 8, 2007 at 2:00pm at Bradford Community Church Unitarian Universalist.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Hawthorne Hallow Nature Sanctuary (880 Green Bay Road, Kenosha 53144) or the Kenosha County Historical Society (220 51st Place, Kenosha 53140) would be appreciated.