Everything we have done makes us the Hams we are. Dennis Rybicke of Fort Atkinson, was born in Milwaukee and grew up in Stevens Point. He received his B.S. degree from the
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point where he met his wife, Gerry. He holds a Master’s Degree in English/Education from the University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh and numerous
graduate credits from other universities. Dennis and Gerry, established and operated La Grange Bed and Breakfast in Fort Atkinson from 1994 to 2009 where they were recipients of the Fort Chamber’s Tourism Award in 2008.
An active Amateur Radio Operator since 1958, Dennis holds Extra Class FCC license K9LGU, has served as the state’s Section Traffic Manager for over 20 years and is an Assistant
ARES/RACES Emergency Coordinator for Jefferson County.
Dennis taught at New Holstein High School for 34 years – specializing in written and spoken communications. His extra-curricular duties included stage sound and lighting
supervision, senior class adviser, forensics coach, and adviser to the National Honor Society chapter. He was an adjunct professor with UW-Oshkosh from 1986 to 1999. Elected mayor of the City of New Holstein in 1982, he served six consecutive terms to 1994. He later served
several years as a member of the Fort Atkinson Planning Commission. As a substitute teacher, he enjoyed working with students at Fort Atkinson High School from 2001 until 2021.
Some of his occupations, in alphabetical order, have included - adjunct college professor, audio system supervisor, bean picker, city mayor (12 years), clothing store clerk, drama director, electrician, exterior / interior painter, floral shop driver/dispatcher, grant writer, grave digger, high
school teacher (34 years full time; 20 years part-time), innkeeper (15 years), janitor/custodian, microprocessor salesman, novels and documents editor, potato warehouse worker, public speaking coach, roofer, stage lighting director, and tree trimmer.