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. 

Wayne Bernhagen