[BobbyB]

Rosmann carved niche as a ski outfitter
By AMY RABIDEAU SILVERS
asilvers@journalsentinel.com
Posted: Jan. 16, 2008


A couple things happened in the years after Clem Rosmann returned from Army duty during World War II.

Rosmann



Buy a link hereHe began college at Marquette University, where he planned to get an engineering degree. Thanks to his dad, he also landed a job with a sporting goods shop.

"The store was located in an old mansion near the downtown area of Milwaukee and close to Lake Michigan," Rosmann wrote in a company history many years later. "On the first floor, the butler pantry was our gun display. The kitchen was used for our fishing tackle and the main dining room held our golf equipment and fishing rods."

One of the bedrooms was used for ski equipment and clothing.

"They bought their first ski boots in the 1940s, but they didn't think they'd ever sell them," said son David Rosmann, a co-owner of the business now known as Les Moise Inc. "Skiing has become the biggest part of the winter sports business."

Rosmann ended up getting his degree in accounting. In 1951, he bought the firm from the Moise family, expanding it to new locations and making it his family's business.

Clement Rosmann - that was his given name, but no one called him that - died of pneumonia Sunday. He was 81. He lived with Joyce Rosmann, his wife of 57 years, in Mequon.

"He was diagnosed with ALS 32 years ago," David said, explaining that his father lived many more years than the norm for patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig's disease. Rosmann also developed leukemia and had a stroke in recent years.

"He was active with the business until about six years ago," David said. "He managed to work despite having ALS and basically losing the use of his left arm and his legs below the knee. He was able to walk but not stand still. As far as overcoming physical problems, he was really something."

Rosmann grew up in Milwaukee, graduating from Rufus King High School. He served with the Army in the Philippines during the war.

"Then he worked for Les Moise as his day job and he went to school at night," David said.

Rosmann kept taking on more responsibility at the firm, including as a buyer.

"When skiing became a popular sport our business improved," Rosmann wrote. "However, the sporting end, i.e., fishing and hunting, went the way of the cut-rate places, to the point where the customer was paying the same as some retailers."

In 1955, he moved the business from the mansion to 151 E. Silver Spring Drive in Whitefish Bay.

"We focused in on ski and tennis equipment, with some gifts and clothing, and the business grew," Rosmann said. At one point he also operated a no-frills ski hill near Slinger as well as a ski club.

Opened second store
In 1994, Rosmann achieved his goal of opening a second store, which operates at 18000 W. Blue Mound Road in the Town of Brookfield. His three other children are also involved in the business.

"He was kind of a tough yet caring guy," said his son. "Once you knew him, people found him really warm."

In addition to his wife and son, survivors include daughters Jody Deibel and Shelly Rosmann; son Rick; sister Arlene Tabbert; and grandchildren.

The funeral service will be held at noon today at the Schramka-Densow Funeral Home, 423 N. Main St., Thiensville.


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