Tom Weickardt, Community Champion
Tom Weickardt’s vision for the River Club was to create an inclusive place for families, a place where friends can gather for recreation and respite. Through such constructive pursuits, Mr. Weickardt believes good people can come together and manifest the kind of memories that can last a lifetime. Instructive and comforting both, he believes these memories both guide and soothe the soul through the collective journeys that make up…life.
Tom grew up on 68th and Villard on Milwaukee’s northwest side, attended Custer High School, and was a pretty fair athlete. He never was a country club kind of guy. It is one reason why Tom preferred calling his club the “The River Club” rather than something that would end in “Country Club.”
Tom has been successful enough in business to assume a seemingly carefree persona. But peel away his casual manner and you’ll find a reflective, forward-thinking man who not only considers how to affect the greater good, but also the common good.
He doesn’t talk about it much publically, but Tom strives to be a conscientious steward of the property that he shares with 476 Members, their guests and countless diners at nines American Bistro. Tom’s impact in our community cannot be underestimated. He was, however, taken aback at first by the degree to which this community had come to count on him through the process of creating The River Club. Ultimately, he was humbled to discover how important his role came to be in revitalizing entire neighborhoods.
Tom’s good deeds are generally kept private and thus he’s been discreet about the various ways he’s reached out to others. That said, Tom is a generous supporter of The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s efforts as his beloved son Justin passed away from the disease in 2001.
Tom prefers to define himself as an average person with excellent hair that does what he supposes most anyone in his position might do. In his case, he chose to create a setting where children and families can celebrate life while pursuing the opportunities that life has to offer. That kind of thinking is something that resonates with the Peltz vision and with MJP’s belief that children greatly benefit from a nurturing and constructive environment.
As a young child Tom bonded with a Jewish Family, the Gallases. They played countless hours of basketball and other sports together, and competed on the Gallas Fish Trotters team. This provided Tom with an early connection to the Jewish community as well as through his membership at the JCC.
Tom has three sons and a daughter; Nathan, Alex and Tom Jr. and daughter Kristin along with five beautiful grandchildren. He considers his hard working staff at the River Club as part of his family and is humbled by the support he enjoys from the club’s many grateful Members.
Tom grew up on 68th and Villard on Milwaukee’s northwest side, attended Custer High School, and was a pretty fair athlete. He never was a country club kind of guy. It is one reason why Tom preferred calling his club the “The River Club” rather than something that would end in “Country Club.”
Tom has been successful enough in business to assume a seemingly carefree persona. But peel away his casual manner and you’ll find a reflective, forward-thinking man who not only considers how to affect the greater good, but also the common good.
He doesn’t talk about it much publically, but Tom strives to be a conscientious steward of the property that he shares with 476 Members, their guests and countless diners at nines American Bistro. Tom’s impact in our community cannot be underestimated. He was, however, taken aback at first by the degree to which this community had come to count on him through the process of creating The River Club. Ultimately, he was humbled to discover how important his role came to be in revitalizing entire neighborhoods.
Tom’s good deeds are generally kept private and thus he’s been discreet about the various ways he’s reached out to others. That said, Tom is a generous supporter of The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s efforts as his beloved son Justin passed away from the disease in 2001.
Tom prefers to define himself as an average person with excellent hair that does what he supposes most anyone in his position might do. In his case, he chose to create a setting where children and families can celebrate life while pursuing the opportunities that life has to offer. That kind of thinking is something that resonates with the Peltz vision and with MJP’s belief that children greatly benefit from a nurturing and constructive environment.
As a young child Tom bonded with a Jewish Family, the Gallases. They played countless hours of basketball and other sports together, and competed on the Gallas Fish Trotters team. This provided Tom with an early connection to the Jewish community as well as through his membership at the JCC.
Tom has three sons and a daughter; Nathan, Alex and Tom Jr. and daughter Kristin along with five beautiful grandchildren. He considers his hard working staff at the River Club as part of his family and is humbled by the support he enjoys from the club’s many grateful Members.
Jerry Becker, Children's Volunteer
Every person – a world.
Jerry is a Midwesterner who was born and raised in Milwaukee. He graduated from MATC with a degree in accounting. The strongest influences in his life were his grandparents and the enriching experiences he had with them throughout his childhood. He had the privilege to see his mother giving to Josh, just as his grandparents gave to him. He perpetuates that relationship and lives the message that the love of a grandparent is a lifelong gift. He gives his grandson, Gavi, that gift daily.
Every person needs a “Jerry” in his life. He is there for you when you need help or support. During his childhood, helping was one of the values he learned from birth. He grew up working side by side with his family and helping out in the family owned resort and farm.
Jerry’s relationship with MJP is deep and meaningful. It began as a way to give his wife Morah Ann a hand in her class, which turned into beautiful relationships with the children and families in the school. As Jerry says:
“It is interesting to see how much the children comprehend and what goes into their learning processes. This is why it is so important for me to learn about the things I will do with them, and to be one step ahead of them. It is so fulfilling to see how they are accepted as unique people, and every time I am here something precious happens between us.”
Jerry is a Midwesterner who was born and raised in Milwaukee. He graduated from MATC with a degree in accounting. The strongest influences in his life were his grandparents and the enriching experiences he had with them throughout his childhood. He had the privilege to see his mother giving to Josh, just as his grandparents gave to him. He perpetuates that relationship and lives the message that the love of a grandparent is a lifelong gift. He gives his grandson, Gavi, that gift daily.
Every person needs a “Jerry” in his life. He is there for you when you need help or support. During his childhood, helping was one of the values he learned from birth. He grew up working side by side with his family and helping out in the family owned resort and farm.
Jerry’s relationship with MJP is deep and meaningful. It began as a way to give his wife Morah Ann a hand in her class, which turned into beautiful relationships with the children and families in the school. As Jerry says:
“It is interesting to see how much the children comprehend and what goes into their learning processes. This is why it is so important for me to learn about the things I will do with them, and to be one step ahead of them. It is so fulfilling to see how they are accepted as unique people, and every time I am here something precious happens between us.”
