Wayne Bernhagen was a pivotal member of early gay life in Milwaukee. In addition to founding and owning the long-running Wreck Room Bar, he at one time also owned Your Place bar (the "Y.P."). Wayne was a key individual in founding the Saturday Softball Beer League. Wayne started the Wreck Room Classic for softball, which for many years in the 1970's-1980's was attended by gay softball teams from throughout the U.S. and Canada, and served on the Board of Directors of the Cream City Foundation.

As owner of the Wreck Room Bar, Wayne gave as much as he received. Under his ownership, the bar held many innovative events, parties, and fundraisers. Although known primarily as a levi/leather/ cruise bar on Friday and Saturday nights, it had pool tables, audience partipation games (such as their version of Wheel of Fortune etc.), shows, and occasional live music. Wayne held an annual street party to thank his patrons near the bar's anniversary each year, drawing huge crowds in the late 1970's-early 1980's and requiring surrounding streets to be closed for the cookout and crowd.

Wayne was an early victim of AIDS, and died in 1987. His obituary in 'In Step' magazine read:

In Step - Oct. 22-Nov. 4, 1987 - Page 44

IN MEMORIUM
Wayne Bernhagen

Wayne Bernhagen, owner of the Wreck Room and Your Place passed away Sunday, October 11, after a prolonged battle with AIDS.

Wayne was the founder of the Saturday Softball League (SSBL), and founder of the Wreck Room Classic (which later became The Milwaukee Classic Softball Tournament held on Memorial Day Weekend.) He was also a member of the Cream City Business Association, past director of the Brady East Sexually Transmitted Disease Clinic (BEST), and an active participant in many other worthwhile gay and lesbian community activities, including being on the Board of Directors of the Cream City Foundation.

A memorial service was held Tuesday, October 13 at Weiss Funeral Home on Prospect Avenue, and a funeral Mass was held Wed. morning at St. John's Cathedral prior to burial at Forest Home Cemetary. The visitation drew hundreds of people to the flower-be-decked funeral home, who joined in saluting the passing of a true friend of the community.

Wayne is survived by his sister Adair Templin, and brothers Clyde and James Bernhagen. He is also survived by his companion Mac Helmick and long-time friend Bill Kindt, as well as hundreds of friends throughout the country.

He'll be remembered for the annual street party held to celebrate the Wreck Room's anniversary. He'll be remembered for his financial support of Escape Magazine, and for Thinking of You, his gift/card shop whose items he hand-selected. We have fond memories of the spectaculars he arranged for the opening ceremonies of the Wreck Room Classic. We'll remember his deep, resonant voice booming over the Wreck Room's microphone. Many of us will remember back to the time he was diagnosed with AIDS, and the ripple-effect felt throughout the community. He'll be remembered for putting money back into the community from which It came.

Never one to bask in the limelight, it was often where he belonged.